Hinged Dental Tray with Translucent Tool Retention Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental surgical trays lack efficient organization and ergonomics, making it difficult for dentists to quickly identify and access the correct tools during procedures, leading to increased time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A hinged dental tray with interchangeable tray inserts and a drive mechanism for automated cleaning, featuring a channel system for secure tool retention and visibility enhancements through translucent materials, along with indicators for tool selection and actuation mechanisms to angle tools safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional dental surgical trays are used, then the basic function of holding tools is provided, but the dentist cannot quickly identify and access the correct tools, increasing procedural time
Solution Approach 1:
The tray insert uses color-coded indicators and translucent materials to visually distinguish different tool types, sizes, and locations. This allows the dentist to instantly identify the correct tool without searching, directly improving tool selection speed and reducing procedural time.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray is divided into multiple organized compartments with specific receptacles for different tool types. Tools are systematically arranged in designated locations with visual indicators, enabling rapid identification and access without disrupting the overall tray structure.
2Ease of operation
If tools are stored in traditional trays, then storage is provided, but the sharp ends of tools pose safety risks and are difficult to organize efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The tray insert is designed to angle tools away from the user, with sharp ends oriented in a safe direction. This inversion of the typical storage orientation minimizes the risk of unwanted contact with sharp edges while maintaining secure tool retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray insert uses a disposable or easily replaceable design with integrated retention features. This allows for safe, single-use configurations that eliminate the need for complex cleaning and sterilization of tool-retention surfaces, ensuring consistent safety performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If dental trays are cleaned manually, then cleaning is possible, but the process is time-consuming and may not thoroughly clean all surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The tray insert is designed with self-cleaning features through its specific geometric configuration and material properties. The structure allows cleaning solutions to flow through and contact all surfaces effectively, enabling thorough cleaning with minimal manual intervention and reduced cleaning time.
4Illumination intensity
If opaque tray materials are used, then durability is provided, but visibility of tools underneath is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The tray insert combines translucent or transparent materials with appropriate structural reinforcement to achieve both visibility and strength. This composite approach allows light transmission for tool visibility while maintaining the mechanical integrity needed for surgical use.
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument retaining element for a surgical tray such as dental tray for use in a dental surgical procedure. The retaining element can have a first part defining a plurality of receptacles therein. The plurality of receptacles configured to receive a first shank section of a plurality of dental surgical instruments. The first part defines a first part of a channel that communicates with two or more of the plurality of receptacles. The retaining element can have a second part connected to the first part and having a U-shape in cross-section. The second part defines a second part of the channel that communicates with the first part of the channel and the plurality of receptacles. The second part of the channel can be configured to elastically expand to receive and retail a second shank section of the plurality of dental surgical instruments.