Uneven-Cut Endodontic Brush Tip to Reduce Canal Wall Gouging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endodontic brushes face challenges in effectively cleaning the distal end of root canals due to uneven cutting techniques, which can lead to gouging or grooving of canal walls and inadequate removal of debris.
Innovation Solution
The development of an endodontic brush with a coupler for coupling to a handpiece, featuring a central longitudinal flexible core with strands wound in a specific direction and an unevenly cut tip, allowing the strands to unwind and open when rotated in a specific direction, enhancing cleaning efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the tip of the endodontic brush is cut evenly, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it causes gouging or grooving of canal walls during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by cutting the tip of the endodontic brush at an angle rather than evenly perpendicular to the axis. This asymmetric cut creates a tapered configuration where strands are exposed progressively from apex to base, eliminating the gouging problem while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a single angular cut operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the strands are tightly wound, then the brush maintains its shape during insertion, but it cannot effectively open and clean the canal walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the brush to transition from a closed, tightly-wound state during insertion to an opened state during rotation. The angled cut allows strands to progressively unwind and contact the canal walls when rotational force is applied, creating a dynamic cleaning action that adapts to the canal geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the strands in a tightly wound state that maintains structural integrity during insertion. The angled cut is prepared in advance to enable subsequent unwinding and opening when the brush is rotated, separating the insertion phase requirements from the cleaning phase requirements.
3Strength
If the brush is rotated in the winding direction, then the strands remain closed and maintain structural integrity, but debris cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by designing the brush to function in the opposite rotational direction from what would naturally tighten the winding. Rotating the brush in the unwinding direction causes strands to open and contact the canal walls for effective cleaning, while rotation in the winding direction maintains the closed configuration for structural integrity during insertion and positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, the distal end of an endodontic brush unevenly (e.g., not along a line perpendicular to the axis of the brush). Optionally, the uneven strands will contact the walls of a channel more evenly and/or will have an increased stirring effect than an evenly cut end may be cut using an abrasive cutter (e.g., a grinding wheel) and/or a laser and/or an electrical discharge machining (EDM) cutter. Optionally, a grinding wheel will rotate opposite the winding of the wire. Optionally, a round end may be formed on the wire. In some embodiment, a coupling between an endodontic brush and a handpiece in configured to be held rotationally top the handpiece by friction and/or locked longitudinally into the handpiece by an interference element. In some embodiments, an edge of the brush is roughened. Optionally, the brush may be bent and/or eccentric.