Flat Tip Periodontal Probe Pressure Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing periodontal pocket probing devices cause significant pain and have high manufacturing costs due to their complex structure and the need for repeated piercing of gum tissue during evaluation.

Innovation Solution

A periodontal pocket probing device with a flat probing tip and a control rod system that distributes pressure evenly and allows the probe to be extended out of the gum tissue when resistance is met, reducing pain and simplifying the design for lower production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a needle-shaped probe is used for periodontal pocket evaluation, then the probe can be inserted into the periodontal pocket to measure depth, but it causes unbearable pain and fear due to repeated piercing of gum tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperiodontal pocket depth measurementVSAvoidpatient pain and fear

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The probe tip shape is changed from needle-shaped to flat, which fundamentally alters the interaction mechanism with gum tissue. This parameter change allows the probe to push tissue aside rather than pierce it, eliminating pain while maintaining measurement capability through the flat front end edge design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of piercing the gum tissue to measure depth, the invention inverts the approach by using a flat tip that pushes tissue aside. The measurement is achieved by feeling the resistance and depth sensation rather than by physical penetration, completely reversing the harmful piercing action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If an elastic member is loaded on the probe to allow automatic movement out of gum tissue, then the probe can be moved away when pressure surpasses a predetermined level, but the probe has already stung the patient before being moved away

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe automatic retractionVSAvoidpatient pain from piercing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flat tip shape is prepared in advance to prevent piercing from occurring in the first place. By having the correct tip geometry ready before insertion, the harmful piercing action is prevented entirely, eliminating the need for emergency retraction mechanisms and associated patient pain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If an elastic member is loaded on the probe for automatic retraction, then the probe can move out of gum tissue when pressure exceeds a predetermined level, but the device structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe automatic retractionVSAvoiddevice structure and manufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member and automatic retraction mechanism are completely removed from the device. By extracting these complex components, the invention achieves a simple, cost-effective design that relies on the flat tip geometry and operator technique rather than mechanical retraction systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The operator themselves performs the retraction action by pulling back on the probe handle after measurement. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex automatic retraction mechanisms, simplifying the device structure while maintaining functional reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 device minimizes pain during periodontal pocket evaluation by distributing pressure and reduces manufacturing costs through a simplified design, facilitating effective and comfortable probing without complex structures.

Implementation Method 1

a flat probing tip located at an opposite end thereof and defining a flat front end edge on a front side thereof opposite to the connection portion for allowing the produced pressure to be distributed in all directions to reduce the patient's pain upon insertion of the probe into the deep inside of a periodontal pocket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure distribution: Pascal's Law

Data Source

PatentUS10098719B1Periodontal pocket probing device

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 ACTWELL TECH

AI summary

A periodontal pocket probing device facilitating fabrication and application and effectively reducing the cost is disclosed to include a main body, and a probe having a connection portion located at one end thereof and connected to the main body and a flat probing tip located at an opposite end thereof and defining a flat front end edge on a front side thereof opposite to the connection portion for allowing the produced pressure to be distributed in all directions to reduce the patient's pain upon insertion of the probe into the deep inside of a periodontal pocket.