Dental Unit Real-Time Torque Data Interpolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental units cannot provide immediate, actionable information to surgeons about the work done by handpieces during operations, requiring further processing of real-time torque data to inform treatment decisions.
Innovation Solution
A dental unit with a computerized control unit that interpolates and displays real-time data on handpiece rotation speed, torque, and usage time, incorporating a corrective index for surgeon pressure and comparing it to reference values to estimate bone hardness, facilitating the selection of appropriate burs for subsequent operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If real-time torque data is displayed on a screen, then the information is available in real time, but the dental surgeon must further process the data to obtain actionable treatment information
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of torque data to pre-calculate actionable treatment information (bone hardness estimates, bur selection recommendations) before the dental surgeon needs it. The computerized control unit automatically compares real-time torque values against reference values and prepares interpretation results in advance, so when the surgeon reviews the data, actionable insights are already ready rather than requiring the surgeon to manually analyze raw torque curves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the torque sensor and the dental surgeon. The computerized control unit acts as a mediator that automatically interprets raw torque data, compares it with reference values from a database, and presents processed treatment recommendations to the surgeon. This intermediary system handles the complex data analysis work, freeing the surgeon from manual data processing while ensuring accurate interpretation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the dental unit is equipped with comprehensive monitoring and control systems, then the unit becomes more versatile and informative, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computerized control unit serves multiple functions within a single integrated system: it monitors torque in real-time, stores reference values for various bone types and drilling conditions, automatically compares measured data against references, estimates bone hardness, and provides treatment recommendations. By consolidating these diverse functions into one multi-functional control unit, the system achieves high versatility without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same hardware platform handles all tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service through automatic data interpretation and treatment recommendation generation. The computerized control unit autonomously compares torque data with reference values, calculates bone hardness estimates, and formulates bur selection recommendations without requiring external assistance or complex manual analysis protocols. This self-service capability reduces the operational complexity burden on the dental surgeon while maintaining comprehensive monitoring and control functions.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A dental unit (1) comprises: a chair (2); a base (3) positioned next to the chair and mounting various items of equipment; a plurality of handpieces (5) located on a handpiece tray (4); a computerized control unit (6) for controlling and driving the dental unit (1); viewing means (7) for displaying data relating to functional parameters of the handpiece (5) being used. The viewing means (7) are connected to the computerized control unit (6) through an interface unit (8) for transmitting and conditioning a signal that carries the data. Means (8a) are provided for interpolating the data, in particular, for obtaining data in a displayable form. The dental unit (1) also comprises means (10) for comparing data in order to estimate an information item (12) relating to the patient being treated.