Endodontic File Clip Detachment for Washer Disinfector Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endodontic file clips are difficult to clean and disinfect due to their complex structure, necessitating time-consuming manual cleaning to meet hygiene requirements.
Innovation Solution
An endodontic file clip with a detachable design that allows for easy disassembly and reassembly, featuring a detachment mechanism and multiple security mechanisms to prevent accidental disassembly during use, enabling thorough cleaning and disinfection in a dental washer disinfector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the endodontic file clip is made up of several components with close interfaces and narrow gaps, then the structural integrity and electrical conductivity are improved, but the ease of cleaning and disinfection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The endodontic file clip is divided into separable components (body, push button, hook) that can be detached from each other. This segmentation allows each component to be cleaned and disinfected separately, eliminating the cleaning difficulties caused by close interfaces and narrow gaps in integrated designs.
2Ease of operation
If the endodontic file clip uses a detachable design for easy cleaning, then the ease of cleaning is improved, but the reliability during operation deteriorates due to potential accidental disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
A security mechanism is incorporated into the design to prevent accidental disassembly of the detachable components during operation. This preliminary protective feature ensures that the clip remains securely assembled during endodontic treatment while still allowing intentional detachment for cleaning purposes.
3Reliability
If manual cleaning is used to meet hygiene requirements, then the thoroughness of cleaning is improved, but the time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable design enables each component to be quickly removed and cleaned separately, reducing the overall cleaning time compared to cleaning a single integrated unit. The separated components can be efficiently processed in a dental washer disinfector.
Solution Approach 2:
The design facilitates self-service cleaning where the components can be easily detached and reattached without requiring complex disassembly procedures or specialized cleaning equipment, allowing dentists to quickly maintain hygiene standards.
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
Facilitates quick and effective cleaning and disinfection of all components, ensuring complete removal of pulp tissue and saliva, and provides secure operation during endodontic treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a spring pushing the push button away from the body
Implementation Method 2
The electrical impedance between the lip clip and the endodontic file changes with the increase of the endodontic file engagement inside the root canal
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an endodontic file clip (1) for an apex locator, comprising: a hollow body (2); a push button (3) movably linked to the body (2); a spring (4) pushing the push button (3) away from the body (2); an electrically conductive hook (5) movably arranged within the body (2) and partly protruding out of the tip (2a) of the body (2) and fixed to the push button (3) to securely attach an endodontic file (6) to the tip (2a) when the push button (3) is released towards the closed position, and disengage from the endodontic file (6) when the push button (3) is pressed towards the open position; characterized by further comprising: a detachment mechanism (7) for re-attachably detaching the push button (3), the spring (4) and the hook (5) from the body (2) for cleaning and disinfection in a dental washer disinfector, wherein the detachment mechanism (7) comprises a detachment slot (2c; 2c′) in the body (2) which extends up to the tip (2a) and joins said hole, to allow manual detachment of the push button (3), the spring (4) and the hook (5) from the body (2) when the hook (5) is manually moved from said hole into the detachment slot (2c, 2c′).