Dental Tool Tip Transfer Tool with Controlled Pushing Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

The frequent exchange of dental tool tips during treatments can negatively affect their lifetime and is difficult to attach properly, risking damage to the tool tip, instrument, or operator, especially with pointed ends like scalers.

Innovation Solution

A tool with a first receiving section and a first pushing element that allows for a precise, force-adjustable, translation-based movement to attach or detach dental tool tips via press-fit or force-fitting connections, without rotation, ensuring proper alignment and secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual attachment of dental tool tip is performed by operator, then tool tip can be exchanged, but operator needs to provide sufficient force which risks damaging tool tip, instrument or operator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of tool tip attachmentVSAvoidrisk of damage to tool tip, instrument or operator
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transfer tool as an intermediary device between the operator and the dental tool tip. The transfer tool includes a receiving section that holds the tool tip and a pushing element that applies controlled force to attach or detach the tip. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for the operator to directly apply force to the pointed tool tip, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the tool tip, instrument, or operator while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequent exchange of dental tool tips is performed, then different tool tips can be used during treatment, but lifetime of tool tip is negatively affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to exchange tool tips during treatmentVSAvoidlifetime of tool tip
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer tool allows for preliminary preparation of the tool tip in a safe, controlled environment before attachment to the instrument. The receiving section holds the tip securely during exchange, and the pushing element ensures proper alignment and gentle engagement. This preliminary action sequence enables frequent exchanges during treatment while minimizing mechanical stress and damage accumulation that would otherwise reduce tool tip lifetime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If force is applied to attach dental tool tip, then tool tip can be secured to instrument, but improper force application can cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachment of tool tipVSAvoidrisk of damage from improper force application
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer tool controls the force application parameters through its mechanical design. The pushing element translates rotational or linear motion into controlled linear force along the tool tip's axis. The receiving section's geometry ensures proper alignment, and the pushing element's travel distance limits the maximum force applied. These parameter controls ensure reliable attachment while preventing excessive force that could damage the tool tip, instrument, or operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4356872B1Tool for transferring a dental tool tip between an assembled and a disassembled state and method for removing a dental tool tip from a dental instrument
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 FERTON HOLDING SA
  • EP4356872B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4356872B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP4356872B1 patent drawingFigure 2d~2f

AI summary

A tool (1) for transferring a dental tool tip (10) between an assembled state and a disassembled state, the dental tool tip (10) - being arranged partially in an insert region of a dental instrument (30) in an assembled state, and - being removed from the insert region of the dental instrument (30) in a disassembled state, the tool (1) comprising -- at least a first receiving section (31) being configured to receive at least the insert region of the dental instrument (30) and at least a part of the tool tip (10) and -- at least a first pushing element (11) being configured to perform a first pushing movement, wherein by performing the first pushing movement, the first pushing element (11) causes a pushed movement (T) of the dental tool tip (10) to transfer the dental tool tip (10) from a first state to a second state, first and second states being distinct and chosen between the assembled state and the disassembled state, when at least the insert region and at least a part of the tool tip (10) are arranged in the first receiving section (31).