Handheld Laser Device Segmented Attachment for Dental Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld laser devices for medical and dental treatments face challenges in sterilization, ergonomic use, and electrical safety due to the integration of electrical components within the handpiece, making them cumbersome and difficult to handle for various jaw treatments.
Innovation Solution
A handheld laser device design featuring a removable handpiece attachment that slides over the majority of the handpiece body, allowing for easy sterilization and improved ergonomic use, with a latch-type fixation mechanism and radial quick-connection for coolant supply, enabling easy exchange and rotation of the attachment for different angular orientations without interrupting coolant delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the handpiece is completely sterilized including all electrical components, then hygienic purposes are fulfilled, but the sterilization process becomes cumbersome and technically problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The handpiece is divided into two segments: a sterilizable attachment (handpiece attachment) that contacts the patient and a non-sterilizable body (handpiece body) containing electrical components. The attachment can be removed and sterilized separately, eliminating the need to sterilize the entire handpiece including sensitive electrical parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilizable components (attachment) are extracted from the non-sterilizable body (handpiece body). This allows the attachment to be removed for sterilization while the body remains in use, solving the contradiction between complete sterilization and protection of electrical components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the handpiece body is rotated 180° to treat different jaw areas, then treatment versatility is achieved, but the device becomes awkward to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The handpiece is segmented into a fixed body and a rotatable attachment. The attachment can be rotated relative to the body to change the laser beam emission direction, allowing treatment of different jaw areas without rotating the entire handpiece body, thus maintaining ergonomic handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment is made dynamically rotatable relative to the handpiece body, enabling flexible adjustment of the laser beam direction. This dynamic capability allows the operator to treat both upper and lower jaws without compromising handling comfort.
3Productivity
If the handpiece attachment covers more than 50% of the handpiece body, then sterilization efficiency is improved, but the structural design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The handpiece is clearly segmented into a body and an attachment, with the attachment designed to cover more than 50% of the body length. This segmentation allows the attachment to be the sole sterilizable component, improving sterilization efficiency by reducing the sterilization scope while maintaining manageable structural complexity through clear functional separation.
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
Facilitates efficient and safe sterilization, enhances ergonomic operation by allowing treatment of both upper and lower jaws without rotating the handpiece body, and maintains continuous coolant supply regardless of angular orientation, improving operational efficiency and reducing the need for frequent handpiece body sterilization.
Implementation Method 1
a solid state crystal laser material rod and a lamp within a cavity. A coolant fluid is arranged to flow therebetween through a folded path having a fluid entrance and fluid exit at the same end of the first housing.
Implementation Method 2
A coolant fluid is arranged to flow therebetween through a folded path having a fluid entrance and fluid exit at the same end of the first housing.
Implementation Method 3
When the laser is activated, pulsed laser energy is focused by a lens, also situated within the handpiece, onto the tissues in the mouth of a patient.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a handheld laser device (1) for medical, in particular dental treatment purposes, comprising a handpiece having a handpiece body (10) accommodating a laser and a removable handpiece attachment (30). The handpiece attachment (30) is slidable over at least a major portion of the handpiece body (10) and the device is adapted such that air and/or water can be supplied from the handpiece body (10) to the handpiece attachment (30).