Disposable Mirror Suction Device with Integrated Reflective Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mirror suction devices require an assistant to manage the suctioning of liquids and particles during dental treatments, as the dentist needs to hold a drilling tool and a mirror simultaneously, making the procedure inefficient and costly, with complex production and high cleaning/sterilization efforts.

Innovation Solution

A disposable mirror suction device with a reflective surface, such as a chromium-coated metal or plastic disk, integrated into a single or two-part base body, allowing the dentist to inspect the oral cavity during suctioning without an assistant, using inexpensive materials and simplified production methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a glass mirror is used in the mirror suction device, then the reflective quality is improved, but the production cost and cleaning effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereflective qualityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the disposable principle by using an inexpensive base body material (such as plastic or metal) instead of expensive glass mirrors. The base body is designed to be discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for costly glass mirrors that require careful handling and sterilization. This resolves the contradiction by accepting short-living operation in exchange for significantly reduced production costs and simplified manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from glass to inexpensive alternatives like plastic or metal with reflective coating. This parameter change maintains sufficient reflective quality for dental inspection while dramatically reducing production cost and eliminating sterilization requirements, thus resolving the contradiction between reflective quality and manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the mirror suction device is made disposable, then the cleaning and sterilization effort is eliminated, but the production cost per unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effortVSAvoidproduction cost per unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements the disposable concept by designing the entire mirror suction device as a single-use product made from inexpensive materials. The base body is manufactured at low cost using simple processes (injection molding or stamping) so that even though each unit is discarded after one use, the overall cost remains acceptable. This eliminates cleaning and sterilization efforts while keeping per-unit production costs manageable through efficient manufacturing methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the mirror function from the traditional separate mirror and suction device, integrating it into the base body itself. By incorporating a reflective surface directly onto the inexpensive base body material, the design eliminates the need for separate expensive glass mirror components that would require sterilization, thus reducing both cleaning effort and overall production complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If an assistant is used to manage suctioning, then the suctioning function is performed, but the dentist's work efficiency decreases due to distractions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidpersonnel requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating both the mirror inspection function and the suction function into a single device held by the dentist. The base body incorporates a reflective surface that allows the dentist to inspect the treatment area while simultaneously managing suction, eliminating the need for a separate assistant and thereby improving work efficiency without adding device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the mirror and suction device into one integrated tool. The reflective surface is incorporated into the base body structure, allowing the dentist to combine visual inspection and liquid removal functions in a single device, thus eliminating the need for an assistant and improving overall workflow efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 cost-effective, single-use mirror suction devices that reduce production costs and eliminate the need for cleaning and sterilization, allowing the dentist to manage suctioning and inspection independently, improving operational efficiency and reducing distractions during procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a hollow base body (12) having an outer surface (16), an inner surface (14), a longitudinal axis (X-X), a connection opening (18), and a suction opening (20)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a mirror member (22) having a visible mirror surface (24), which is disposed within the base body (12) in the region of the suction opening (20)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11369461B2Disposable aspirator
Publication Date: 2022.06.28 CLEVERDENT LTD
  • US11369461B2 patent drawing
  • US11369461B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a dental mirror suction device (10) for suctioning liquids and particles from an oral cavity of a patient, with a tubular hollow base body (12) having an inner surface (14), an outer surface (16), a longitudinal axis (X-X), a connection opening (18) for a hose, and a suction opening (20). The inner surface (14) has a mirror-coated surface (24) which is viewable through the suction opening (20) and which is arranged such that the oral cavity is viewable at least in some portions. The mirror suction device (10) is configured as a disposable mirror suction device.