Expandable Grabber Dental Tool for Retention Member Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental tools often damage retention members when attempting to remove them from dental appliances, and they struggle with accommodating retention members of varying diameters and conditions, such as being wet or damaged.
Innovation Solution
A dental tool comprising an elongate member, an expandable grabber, and an adjustment mechanism, which includes a tapered expander and a handle, allowing for adjustable diameter expansion to securely engage and remove retention members without causing damage, and featuring a ball handle for reduced finger strength requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known dental tools are used to remove retention members, then the removal function is achieved, but the retention member is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The tool employs an expandable grabber mechanism that can dynamically adjust its internal diameter to match the retention member size. The expandable portion transitions from a compact state for insertion to an expanded state for secure engagement, allowing adaptive gripping force distribution that prevents damage while enabling removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool changes the physical parameter of the grabber's internal diameter through expansion and contraction. This parameter change allows the tool to adapt to different retention member sizes and conditions (wet, damaged, varying diameters) while maintaining appropriate engagement force to prevent damage during removal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size tool is used, then the device complexity is low, but it cannot accommodate retention members of varying diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The tool incorporates a dynamic expansion mechanism that allows the grabber's internal diameter to change based on the retention member size. This dynamic capability enables a single tool to accommodate various diameters without requiring multiple fixed-size tools, balancing versatility with manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable grabber design allows the expanding portions to nest within each other in a compact configuration during storage or transport. When activated, these nested portions expand outward to achieve the required internal diameter, providing space-efficient packaging for a versatile tool.
3Ease of operation
If finger strength is required for tool operation, then the device complexity is low, but it increases difficulty of operation for users with limited hand strength
Solution Approach 1:
The tool introduces a ball handle as an intermediary between the user's hand and the operational mechanism. This intermediary provides a large-diameter gripping surface that leverages palm and finger pressure rather than requiring direct finger strength on small components, making the tool accessible to users with limited hand strength while maintaining mechanical functionality.
4Reliability
If traditional tools are used on wet retention members, then the removal function is attempted, but the tool slips or fails to grip properly
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable grabber provides dynamic adaptation to wet retention members by allowing the expanding portions to conform to the actual shape and size of the retention member. This dynamic engagement creates multiple contact points that distribute gripping force, preventing slippage even on wet or damaged surfaces where traditional fixed-tools fail.
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 tool effectively seats and removes retention members of various sizes without causing damage, even when they are wet or have different diameters, enhancing the efficiency and safety of the process.
Implementation Method 1
an expander, and wherein a rotation of the expandable grabber around the elongate member adjusts an axial position of the expandable grabber relative to the elongate member, thereby adjusting a width or diameter of the opening
Data Source
AI summary
Dental tools and methods for at least one of seating, insertion and removal of one or more components of dental attachment assemblies are described herein. The dental tools comprise an elongate member, an expandable grabber positioned around at least a portion of the elongate member, and an adjustment mechanism. The elongate member comprises an expander, which can have different widths or diameters along its length such that an adjustment of a position of the expandable grabber relative to the elongate member via the adjustment mechanism adjusts a width or diameter of at least a portion, preferably an end portion, of the expandable grabber.