Fluid Controller for Medical Cutting with Ionized Medicated Fluids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical and dental cutting and drilling techniques lack versatility in applications, as they often rely solely on water or air for cooling and debris removal, failing to incorporate medication, disinfectants, or pleasant flavors, and struggle with odor masking and bacteria growth in equipment and treatment sites.

Innovation Solution

A fluid conditioning system that uses flavored, medicated, and disinfectant-infused fluids, which can be ionized or contain specific agents, to enhance the cutting process, mask odors, and reduce bacteria growth by routing disinfectants through fluid and air lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If water or air is used for cooling and debris removal during cutting and drilling, then cooling and debris removal functions are achieved, but versatility in applications is limited and odor masking is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversatility in applicationsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid controller enables a single fluid delivery system to perform multiple functions by selectively introducing different substances (water, flavored fluids, medicated fluids, disinfectants) through the same delivery mechanism, allowing the system to adapt to various clinical requirements without adding separate dedicated systems for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the chemical composition and properties of the cooling fluid by introducing different conditioning agents (flavors, medications, disinfectants) into the water or air stream, thereby transforming a simple cooling medium into a multi-functional treatment fluid that addresses diverse clinical needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If disinfectants are introduced into fluid lines to reduce bacteria growth, then bacteria growth is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacteria growth controlVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid controller merges the disinfection function with the existing fluid delivery system by integrating disinfectant introduction into the same control mechanism used for water and air delivery, eliminating the need for separate disinfection systems and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid controller acts as an intermediary device that can introduce disinfectants into the fluid lines without requiring modification of the primary water or air delivery infrastructure, serving as a bridge between the existing system and the added disinfection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If flavored or medicated fluids are used during cutting procedures, then patient comfort and treatment effectiveness are improved, but fluid routing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidfluid routing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid controller provides a universal interface for introducing multiple types of conditioned fluids (flavored, medicated, disinfectant-infused) through a single delivery system, allowing the same hardware to serve multiple patient comfort and treatment needs without requiring separate routing systems for each fluid type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system provides a versatile and effective means to hydrate, cool, and disinfect surgical sites, while reducing bacteria growth and unpleasant odors, improving patient comfort and procedural outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

A fluid controller 120 conditions fluid molecules, such as water, by introducing the fluid molecules to ionization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic energy source pointed in a direction of the interaction region, the electromagnetic energy source being constructed to deliver into the interaction region a concentration (e.g., a peak concentration) of electromagnetic energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2506792B1Fluid controller
Publication Date: 2014.04.16 BIOLASE INC
  • EP2506792B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2506792B1 patent drawingFigure 2~7
  • EP2506792B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fluid conditioning system is adapted to condition the fluid used in medical and dental cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling operations. The fluid may be conditioned by adding flavors, antiseptics and/or tooth whitening agents such as peroxide, medications, and pigments. In addition to the direct benefits obtained from introduction of these agents, the laser cutting properties may be varied from the selective introduction of the various agents.