Intra-Oral Dental Appliance With Flexible Suction Arms for Dry-Field Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental procedures face challenges in effectively managing moisture control within a patient's mouth, particularly during ultrasonic scaling, due to limited space and the need to avoid impeding dental procedures, while also addressing fluid pooling and debris removal.
Innovation Solution
An intra-oral dental appliance featuring flexible suction arms and an external member with lip retractors that maintain mouth opening and allow positioning of suction arms to efficiently remove fluids and debris without obstructing dental work, using vacuum suction through poseable arms and channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single suction device is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the effectiveness of moisture control deteriorates due to limited ability to manage fluid pooling in multiple locations
Solution Approach 1:
The suction system is divided into multiple independent suction arms (first suction arm, second suction arm, third suction arm) that can be positioned at different locations within the patient's mouth. Each suction arm has its own suction tip that can be independently directed to address fluid pooling in specific areas, thereby improving moisture control effectiveness while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The suction arms are designed with flexible positioning capabilities that allow them to extend in multiple directions and reach different spatial zones within the oral cavity. This multi-dimensional positioning capability enables simultaneous or sequential addressing of fluid accumulation at various locations, enhancing moisture control without requiring a single complex centralized system
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid suction arms are used, then the positioning stability is improved, but the ability to adapt to different patient mouth sizes and positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suction arms incorporate flexible sections or articulated joints that allow dynamic adjustment of the arm configuration. This enables the suction arms to bend and adapt to different patient mouth geometries and positions while maintaining stable connection at the base and effective positioning of the suction tips, thereby achieving both positioning stability and adaptability to patient variations
Solution Approach 2:
The suction arms utilize flexible tubing or articulated segments that can bend and conform to the contours of the patient's mouth. This flexibility allows the suction system to adapt to different mouth sizes and positions while maintaining functional stability through secure mounting at the handle and controlled positioning of the flexible sections
3Reliability
If multiple suction arms are used, then the moisture control coverage is improved, but the impediment to dental procedures increases due to limited space in the patient's mouth
Solution Approach 1:
The suction arms are designed to be removable and independently positionable, allowing the dental professional to extract or retract specific suction arms from the treatment area as needed. This enables optimal moisture control coverage when multiple arms are required, while also allowing clear access to the dental procedure area by removing or repositioning suction arms that would otherwise obstruct the workspace
Solution Approach 2:
The suction arms incorporate flexible or articulated sections that allow dynamic repositioning and adjustment during the dental procedure. This enables the suction tips to be positioned in optimal locations for moisture control while the flexible sections allow the arms to be routed around or away from the active treatment area, minimizing obstruction to dental procedures while maintaining effective fluid removal
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 appliance creates a dry field in the mouth by effectively removing fluids and debris, maintaining patient comfort and allowing unobstructed dental procedures by positioning suction arms to avoid interdental interference.
Implementation Method 1
a connector connected to the first end of the first suction arm and the first end of the second suction arm, the connector connectable to a vacuum source
Data Source
AI summary
An intra-oral dental appliance is provided. The intra-oral appliance can have an external member, flexible and poseable first and second suction arms having tubing and a connector connected to the first and second suction arms, the connector connectable to a vacuum source. The first and second suction arms positionabe independently from one 5 another and connectable to the external member. The external member can have first and second apertures sized to accept tubing to hold the tubing in place.