Elastomeric Dental Floss with Variable Diameter for Tight Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental flosses are inefficient in cleaning between teeth due to fixed diameters that do not accommodate varying tooth spacings, often causing discomfort and potential injury during use, as they lack sufficient flexibility and tensile strength for effective gum massage and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
An elastomeric dental floss composed of a blend of styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, polypropylene homopolymer, and a plasticizer, which can be elongated up to 1500% without breaking, providing a deformable and stretchable solid that narrows as it is stretched, allowing easy manipulation between teeth and gentle contact with gums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dental floss has a fixed diameter, then it maintains structural integrity, but it cannot accommodate varying tooth spacings and is difficult to pass between teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The dental floss transitions from a static fixed-diameter structure to a dynamic variable-diameter structure through elastic deformation. The floss can be stretched to narrow its diameter for passing between teeth, then returns to its original diameter for effective cleaning, adapting to different tooth spacings while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The floss utilizes changes in physical parameters (diameter, length) through elastic deformation. By applying force to stretch the floss, its diameter decreases and length increases, enabling it to pass through tight spaces. When released, the floss returns to its original dimensions, providing adaptability across varying tooth spacings.
2Reliability
If dental floss diameter is increased for better cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but force required to pass between teeth increases causing pain and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The floss dynamically adjusts its diameter based on the mechanical state. When stretched during insertion, the diameter narrows to minimize force requirements and prevent gum injury. When relaxed during cleaning, the diameter returns to its larger effective size for thorough plaque removal, thus achieving both safety and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic properties of the floss material provide inherent cushioning during insertion. The material's ability to deform elastically absorbs the impact force that would otherwise cause painful collisions with gums, preventing injury before it occurs while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If dental floss is stretched to pass between teeth, then it can reach tight spaces, but fiber filaments rupture causing shred and fray
Solution Approach 1:
The floss is constructed as a composite material system combining elastomeric polymer matrix with reinforcing fiber filaments. The elastomeric base provides high elasticity and stretchability, while the embedded fibers provide tensile strength reinforcement, preventing filament rupture during stretching while maintaining the ability to pass between teeth.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure allows the material to undergo parameter changes (stretching, diameter reduction) without permanent damage. The elastomeric matrix accommodates the deformation while the fiber reinforcement maintains structural integrity, enabling repeated stretching and relaxation cycles without shred or fray.
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 elastomeric dental floss offers improved gentleness and effectiveness in cleaning between teeth, reducing the risk of injury and making flossing more comfortable and enjoyable, while maintaining structural integrity during use.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric block copolymer, polypropylene, and a plasticizer, which can be elongated up to 1500% without breaking, providing a deformable and stretchable solid that narrows as it is stretched
Data Source
AI summary
A composition comprising a melted blend of polypropylene and an elastomeric block copolymer, and a plasticizer useful as an oral cleaning device. The elastomeric composition may be used as a dental floss.