Dental Modeling Tip With Elastomer Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental hand tools face challenges in being universally applicable for both modeling and filling tasks while maintaining hygiene, as existing solutions either stick to restoration materials or have difficult-to-clean coupling members that lead to bacterial contamination.
Innovation Solution
A dental hand tool with a modeling tip made of hard plastic, featuring a softer elastomer coating with low surface energy and a protruding core, combined with a coupling member design that allows easy cleaning and secure attachment, reducing the risk of bacterial contamination and material adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blind hole coupling element is used to securely hold the tip, then the tip attachment security is improved, but the ease of cleaning deteriorates leading to bacterial accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional blind hole design by using an open coupling element that extends beyond the end face of the connecting part. This allows cleaning access from the open end while maintaining secure tip holding through the extended structure that can engage with the tip's coupling feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element is designed as a separate, removable component that can be detached from the connecting part. This segmentation allows the coupling element to be easily removed for thorough cleaning and sterilization, eliminating the cleaning difficulties of integrated blind hole designs.
2Manufacturing precision
If a hard plastic modeling tip is used for precision work, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adhesion to restorative material worsens causing material to stick to the tip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface properties to different regions of the modeling tip. The tip features a dual-surface design with a non-stick coating on one surface for material contact and a different surface on the opposite side, allowing precise control over where material adheres and where it releases during the modeling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface energy parameter of the modeling tip by applying a non-stick coating (such as PTFE or silicone) to the hard plastic tip. This coating reduces the surface energy and adhesion properties, preventing restorative material from sticking to the tip while maintaining the tip's structural hardness and precision.
3Ease of operation
If a convex voluminous tip is used for packing material, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates for fine modeling tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the modeling tip with a dual-function geometry that can dynamically adapt to different tasks. The tip features a convex voluminous region for packing operations and a finer opposing end for precise modeling, allowing the dentist to switch between functions by orienting the tip differently during the procedure.
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 tool achieves precise modeling and handling of composite dental materials with low adhesion, enabling secure attachment and easy removal, while the non-stick coating and design prevent bacterial accumulation, enhancing hygiene and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The coating is preferably designed as an elastomer, which exhibits low surface energy, low wettability, and very good non-stick properties
Implementation Method 2
The coating material is selected to have a particularly low surface energy, preferably less than 35 mN/m. The material is also preferably selected to have an exceptionally low wetting tendency
Implementation Method 3
The short, protruding end of the core allows for fine modeling and chiseling
Implementation Method 4
the tip is held by friction in a blind hole that is designed as a coupling element
Implementation Method 5
A snap-fit connection is provided, and the diameter of the tip at the end of the shaft is slightly increased
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
The dental hand tool has a handle with at least one connecting piece and coupling element at one end. The dental hand tool is also equipped with a second connecting piece and a second coupling element at the other end of the handle. A modeling tip with a shaft, compatible with the coupling element, is provided. The modeling tip has a coating made of a material that is more flexible than the material of the rest of the modeling tip. In particular, this material has a lower surface energy than the rest of the modeling tip.