Open-Cell Foam Insert Cleaning for Contaminated Dental Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning dental instruments, such as endodontic files, are inadequate and cumbersome, particularly during procedures like endodontic treatments, as they fail to effectively remove contaminants like pulpal tissue and medicaments, requiring inefficient wiping with gauze sponges.
Innovation Solution
A porous material, specifically an at least partially open-cell foam body, is designed for insertion cleaning of instruments, providing a surface that grips the instruments to remove contaminants, with characteristics like density, cell count, and air flow optimized for effective cleaning and sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wiping with gauze sponge is used to clean instruments, then the cleaning process can be performed, but the cleaning effectiveness is inadequate and the operation is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous foam material with specific cell structure to create a cleaning surface that effectively removes contaminants. The porous structure allows the material to grip instruments and remove contaminants like pulpal tissue and medicaments, achieving 82.6% spore reduction after first use and 96% after multiple uses, while maintaining ease of operation through simple insertion and removal actions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the foam material including density (20-30 kg/m³), cell count (15-20 cells/cm), and air flow characteristics to achieve effective cleaning. These parameter changes enable the material to provide sufficient gripping force for contaminant removal while allowing easy instrument insertion and removal
2Reliability
If multiple wiping actions are performed to improve cleaning effectiveness, then more contaminants may be removed, but the time required and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The foam material is pre-configured with optimal porous structure and surface properties before use, enabling it to perform multiple cleaning functions in a single insertion action. The material's pre-optimized cell structure and density allow it to effectively remove contaminants without requiring repeated wiping actions, reducing cleaning time while maintaining high contaminant removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The foam material inherently possesses cleaning capabilities through its porous structure that automatically grips and removes contaminants as instruments are inserted and removed. The material self-regulates the cleaning process without requiring additional manual wiping actions, achieving effective contaminant removal in a single use cycle
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 porous material significantly reduces contaminants on instruments, achieving an 82.6% spore reduction after the first use and increasing to 96% after multiple uses, effectively cleaning and sterilizing instruments like endodontic files.
Implementation Method 1
The body may be configured to substantially grip the instrument to remove a substantial portion of the contaminants from the instrument
Implementation Method 2
A porous material for insertion cleaning of instruments is provided, such porous material including an at least partially open-cell foam body
Data Source
AI summary
A porous material for insertion cleaning of instruments is provided, such porous material including an at least partially open-cell foam body and a surface configured to enable an instrument having contaminants to be inserted into the body. The body may be configured to substantially grip the instrument to remove a substantial portion of the contaminants from the instrument.