Extra-oral Saliva Ejector with U-Shaped Cheek Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oral cavity suction devices are prone to contacting patient tissue, leading to ineffective saliva removal, discomfort, and potential cross-contamination, requiring constant assistance and inconvenient tubing routing during dental procedures.
Innovation Solution
A tapered, ovate shape foldable saliva ejector with a quick connect U-shaped cheek coupling allows vacuum tubing to run along the outside of the cheek, providing increased suction potential, comfort, and ease of use, with reusable components that can be sterilized, and a larger diameter suction system that accommodates higher suction capacity without tugging on the buccal mucosa.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the suction tube tip contacts patient tissue to remove saliva, then saliva removal effectiveness is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates and tissue damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction tube is repositioned from an intra-oral location to an extra-oral location along the buccal mucosa. This spatial relocation allows the tube to access saliva through the cheek tissue without directly contacting sensitive oral structures, resolving the contradiction between effective saliva removal and patient comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The buccal mucosa serves as an intermediary medium through which the suction tube can remove saliva without direct contact with patient teeth, gums, or tongue. The tube penetrates the cheek tissue to reach saliva sources while the buccal mucosa protects sensitive structures from direct suction contact
2Reliability
If disposable polymer straws are used for saliva ejection, then cross-contamination is reduced, but convenience and tubing routing deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The suction system is divided into disposable components (polymer straw with metal wire) and reusable components (tubing, connectors, pump). This segmentation allows the disposable portion to maintain hygiene by being replaced between patients, while the reusable tubing can be routed conveniently outside the mouth and sterilized for subsequent uses
Solution Approach 2:
The suction tube is extracted from the traditional intra-oral path and routed extra-orally along the buccal mucosa. This extraction eliminates the need for complex intra-oral tubing management and allows straightforward routing that avoids interference with dental procedures while maintaining disposable-to-reusable separation
3Productivity
If conventional diameter tubing is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but suction capacity and effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tubing inner diameter is increased from conventional sizes to approximately 0.250 inches, and the pump capacity is increased to approximately 30 liters per minute. These parameter changes enable higher suction capacity to handle heavy saliva and debris loads during dental procedures, while the modular design keeps system complexity manageable
4Adaptability or versatility
If the saliva ejector requires manual repositioning during procedures, then adaptability to different procedures is improved, but time efficiency and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The saliva ejector is designed with flexibility to be positioned at different locations along the buccal mucosa (left side, right side, or retracted) depending on the dental procedure being performed. This dynamic positioning capability allows adaptation to various procedures without requiring complete removal and reinsertion, reducing time loss while maintaining versatility
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 effectively removes saliva and debris without contacting sensitive areas, reduces the need for constant assistance, and allows for comfortable patient positioning, while maintaining sterility and ease of use, enhancing dental procedure efficiency and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
dental health professionals employ for removing saliva, water, and debris during a dental procedure
Implementation Method 2
The ejector tubes are typically made of a pliable plastic with a metal wire embedded within its wall to allow the tube to be bent to a desired angle and maintain that angle
Data Source
AI summary
An oral cavity suction system that incorporates a disposable saliva ejector residing along the interior of the patient's cheek that utilizes a single planar, double leaf shaped plate design that is embossed on their inner faces with a series of arced ribs and folded about its midpoint. The arced ribs form a series of channels about perimeter of the device that directs saliva into a trough running along the linear axis of both of the plates to direct this saliva into a connected “U” connector that hooks around the patient's cheek. A sterile suction tube is also connected on one end to the “U” connector suction tube and on its other end to a quick connect fitting that mates to a tube adapted with a fitting for connection to a high volume suction pump.