Helical Endodontic File Geometry for Bidirectional Canal Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endodontic instruments face issues such as unidirectional cutting, screwing into the canal walls, and lateral displacement, which can lead to instrument breakage and ineffective root canal preparation.
Innovation Solution
An endodontic instrument with a working portion featuring helical flutes and lands, where the flute and land dimensions vary along the length to create six distinct cutting edges with different angles, allowing for bidirectional cutting and improved material removal within the root canal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional separate instruments (files, reamers, spreaders) are used for root canal treatment, then specific functions can be performed, but multiple separate instruments increase device complexity and procedural time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate endodontic instruments (files, reamers, spreaders) into a single integrated instrument with a unified shaft containing multiple working ends. This merging eliminates the need to switch between separate instruments during procedures, directly improving ease of operation and procedural efficiency while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated instrument is designed with multiple working ends that can perform different functions (cleaning, shaping, obturation) on a single instrument body. This multi-functionality allows the instrument to replace multiple specialized tools, improving procedural efficiency without requiring the practitioner to manage multiple separate instruments.
2Productivity
If manual instrumentation is used for root canal cleaning and shaping, then the procedure can be performed, but it is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical instrumentation with an automated reciprocating motion system. The instrument utilizes reciprocal motion between two rotating directions to automatically clean and shape the root canal, eliminating the need for manual back-and-forth filing motions. This substitution significantly improves productivity and reduces the time required for cleaning and shaping operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate instruments are used for different root canal functions, then specific tasks can be performed, but instrument switching increases procedural complexity and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple function-specific instruments into a single multi-functional instrument with different working ends. Each working end is designed for a specific function (e.g., cleaning, shaping, obturation), maintaining adaptability and versatility while eliminating the need to switch between separate instruments, thereby reducing instrument management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument shaft is segmented into multiple working ends, each optimized for a specific function. This segmentation allows the instrument to perform multiple tasks without requiring separate tools, maintaining functional versatility while simplifying instrument management by consolidating multiple functions into a single device.
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 instrument effectively enlarges and shapes root canals with reduced risk of screwing into the canal walls, enabling more efficient and concentric preparation of the canal, enhancing the success of endodontic therapies.
Implementation Method 1
These endodontic files are typically made by grinding helical flutes into a working portion of a small elongate tapered rod to create a curvilinear, abrasive file with a helical cutting edge.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4F
AI summary
An endodontic instrument includes a plurality of flutes and a plurality of lands extending helically around a working portion. Each flute includes a curved concave flute surface, a pair of flute shoulders at the peripheral edges of the flute surface, a flute width defined by a distance between the flute shoulders, and a flute depth defined by a point of maximum depth between the flute shoulders. Each land is positioned between a pair of axially adjacent flutes and includes a curved concave land surface, a pair of land shoulders at the peripheral edges of the land surface, a land width defined by a distance between the land shoulders, and a land depth defined by a point of maximum depth between the land shoulders. The land width is less than the flute width and the land depth is less than the flute depth in the upper region of working portion.