Infiltration Device with Bow-Shaped Holder for Enamel Lesions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing application strips for infiltrating approximal enamel lesions are difficult to handle, prone to static charges, and risk contamination of healthy tooth enamel or oral mucosa, requiring two-handed operation and limited accessibility, especially for back molars.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-tight plastic film with a bracket-shaped holder featuring a bow-shaped element and channels, allowing one-handed application and preventing liquid from reaching the opposite side, with enhanced visibility and resistance to aggressive media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If polymer plastic films are used as application strips, then they can be inserted into interdental spaces, but they become statically charged and stick to hands or gloves, and are difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the application strip by using a non-stick coating (such as PTFE/Teflon) on the plastic film. This coating modifies the surface properties to eliminate static charge accumulation and prevent sticking to hands or gloves, while maintaining the film's flexibility and insertion capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If application strips are used for infiltrating enamel lesions, then they can apply infiltrant, but they risk contaminating healthy tooth enamel or oral mucosa
Solution Approach 1:
The application strip is segmented into distinct functional zones: an infiltration zone that contacts the lesion and receives infiltrant, and a barrier zone (non-stick coating) that prevents the infiltrant from migrating to healthy tooth enamel or oral mucosa. This spatial segmentation isolates the harmful substance to the intended treatment area.
3Measurement precision
If two-handed operation is required for applying application strips, then precise application can be achieved, but the user cannot insert other devices and accessibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the application strip with an insertion aid (such as a rigid holder or pre-formed shape) that enables one-handed operation. The holder provides structural support and positioning, allowing the user to insert the device with one hand while maintaining precise placement, thereby freeing the other hand for additional instruments.
4Manufacturing precision
If fingers are inserted deep into the oral cavity to position foils for back molars, then correct positioning can be achieved, but the working space and field of view are narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
The application strip is designed with a pre-formed three-dimensional shape or rigid holder that provides mechanical leverage and positioning from outside the interdental space. This allows the user to position the strip against the back molar surfaces using finger movements that occur in a different dimensional plane, avoiding the need to insert fingers deep into the constrained oral cavity space.
Data Source
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AI summary
The device for infiltration of approximal tooth surfaces, with a flexible planar element and with a holder into which the planar element is clamped, is characterized in that the planar element (14) is a liquid-impermeable plastic film (14) which has a surface area (22) for taking up a liquid to be used for treatment, and in that the holder is a bow-shaped element (12) with a web (16) and two lateral arms (18) which extend from the latter and are arranged in an arc-shape or U-shape, to which the plastic film (14) is connected in a liquid-impermeable manner.