Endodontic Cartridge with Integrated Heating Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endodontic material application devices face issues with inefficient heat transfer, bulkiness, and risk of burns due to bulky heating elements and inconsistent heating, leading to micro-leakage and contamination risks during root canal treatments.
Innovation Solution
A compact cartridge with an integrated electrically conductive heating layer and electrodes, combined with an air gap and thermal insulation, generates consistent heat while minimizing device size and reducing the risk of burns, allowing for precise temperature control and improved maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heating elements with heating coils on the body of the heating barrel are used, then heating capability is provided, but the device becomes bulky and difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is extracted from the external heating barrel and integrated directly into the cartridge structure. The cartridge itself becomes the heating chamber with an electrically conductive heating layer formed on its outer surface, eliminating the need for a separate external heating barrel and reducing overall device bulkiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is merged with the cartridge structure. The cartridge is designed to serve dual purposes: containing the endodontic material and providing the heating function through an integrated electrically conductive heating layer, thereby combining storage and heating into a single compact unit.
2Temperature
If heating coils are placed on the heating barrel body, then heating function is achieved, but air space between the endodontic material and heating element causes inefficient heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The air gap problem is eliminated by extracting the heating element from external placement and integrating it directly onto the cartridge structure that contains the endodontic material. This ensures direct thermal contact between the heating layer and the material, removing the insulating air space.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is merged with the cartridge structure so that the heating layer is formed directly on the outer surface of the cartridge. This integration eliminates the air space between the heating element and endodontic material, ensuring efficient heat transfer.
3Temperature
If higher operating temperature is used to compensate for heat transfer loss, then sufficient heating is achieved, but the risk of burning the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted and integrated into the disposable cartridge, allowing precise temperature control at the source. The system includes a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the endodontic material and a controller that regulates power to the heating layer, maintaining temperature within a safe range while ensuring sufficient heating.
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature sensor is positioned in thermal communication with the endodontic material to provide real-time temperature feedback. The controller receives this feedback and adjusts the power supplied to the heating element accordingly, maintaining the temperature within a safe and effective range to prevent burns while ensuring adequate softening of the material.
4Temperature
If the heating mechanism is designed to provide high temperature, then heating capability is sufficient, but the device takes up more space
Solution Approach 1:
The heating mechanism is extracted from a bulky external barrel design and integrated directly into the cartridge structure. The heating layer is formed on the outer surface of the cartridge itself, eliminating the need for a separate heating chamber and reducing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is merged with the cartridge structure, combining the material containment and heating functions into a single integrated unit. This eliminates redundant components and reduces the overall device size while maintaining sufficient heating capability.
5Reliability
If conventional disposable cartridges are used, then cross contamination is prevented, but the device requires cleaning of the heating chamber between uses
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is merged with the disposable cartridge structure, so that the entire heating assembly is discarded with the cartridge after a single use. This eliminates the need to clean a separate reusable heating chamber, as the entire cartridge including the heating layer is replaced for each patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge with integrated heating element is designed as a complete disposable unit. After single use, the entire cartridge is discarded, eliminating cross-contamination risks and eliminating the need for cleaning procedures. The low cost of the disposable cartridge makes this economically viable.
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 solution provides consistent and controlled heat transfer, reducing the risk of micro-leakage and contamination, enhancing the usability and safety of the device during dental procedures by making it more compact and easier to maneuver in the mouth.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically conductive heating layer... An operator puts a piece of cylindrical rod shaped gutta percha into the heating chamber and attaches a fine needle in front of the barrel. After activating the heating element in the gun barrel to soften the gutta percha material
Implementation Method 2
an outer sleeve encased the chamber structure, the heating layer, and the electrodes, with air gap being provided between the outer sleeve and the heating layer
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A cartridge includes a chamber structure configured to contain endodontic material. An electrically conductive heating layer is provided adjacent to the chamber structure. A first electrode is positioned at one side of the cartridge, with the first electrode being in electrical contact with the heating layer, and a second electrode is positioned at a second side of the cartridge, with the second electrode being in electrical contact with the heating layer. An outer sleeve encases the chamber structure, the heating layer, and the electrodes, with an air gap being formed between the outer sleeve and the heating layer.