Irrigation Needle With Canal Stop for Apex-Safe Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endodontic irrigation needles face challenges in accurately positioning within root canals without damaging the apex, as manual adjustments are imprecise and apical stops risk perforating the fragile apex or obstructing fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
An irrigation needle with a distal end stop that abuts against the root canal internal surface, set back from the apex by a non-zero recoil, ensuring the tip does not contact the apex and providing structural reinforcement, allowing precise positioning and efficient fluid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an apical stop is used to ensure precise positioning at the apex, then measurement precision is improved, but the risk of damaging the apex and causing canal perforation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing a stop that contacts the canal walls before the tip reaches the apex. This preventive mechanism stops the needle at a safe distance from the apex, counteracting the potential harmful action of tip-apex contact that could cause perforation or tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop acts as an intermediary element between the needle tip and the apex. Instead of the tip directly contacting the apex, the stop mediates the positioning by contacting the canal walls first, thereby protecting the apex while still enabling precise positioning control.
2Productivity
If the needle tip is placed close to the apex for effective irrigation, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but fluid circulation at the apex is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is segmented into distinct functional zones: the stop portion that contacts the canal walls for positioning, and the tip portion that extends beyond the stop to reach near the apex for irrigation. This segmentation allows the stop to maintain fluid circulation by contacting the walls, while the tip provides effective irrigation close to the apex.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point contact approach to a multi-dimensional positioning system. The stop contacts the canal walls at multiple points circumferentially, while the tip extends in the longitudinal dimension toward the apex, creating a spatial arrangement that simultaneously enables irrigation effectiveness and fluid circulation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of the stop is used to treat multiple canals, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity of the operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle design enables self-service operation where the practitioner simply inserts the needle and the stop automatically contacts the canal walls at the correct position. The device self-adjusts to the canal geometry without requiring manual manipulation of the stop, thereby maintaining adaptability to multiple canals while simplifying the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is designed with universal applicability to treat multiple canals of varying geometries. The stop and tip configuration provides multi-functional capability: positioning via wall contact, irrigation near the apex, and automatic adaptation to different canal shapes, all through a single device design that eliminates the need for manual reconfiguration.
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 solution ensures safe and effective irrigation up to the apex without damaging the root canal, maintaining fluid circulation and preventing perforation, while simplifying the adjustment process.
Implementation Method 1
the distal end has a canal stop configured to abut against an internal surface of the root canal when the needle is inserted into the root canal from the pulp chamber and towards the apex, up to a locking position within the root canal
Implementation Method 2
the distal end of the needle terminates in a point, and has an orifice configured to dispense the irrigation solution within the root canal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an irrigation needle (10) for a root canal (21), the needle (10) comprising a body (13) traversed by a conduit (14) extending along a longitudinal axis (A13) of the body (13), the conduit (14) connecting a proximal end (12) and a distal end (11) of the body (13), in which a distal end (11) has a canal stop (17) configured to abut (17) against an internal surface (21i) of the root canal when the needle (10) is inserted into the root canal from the pulp chamber and towards the apex, up to a locking position within the root canal, such that the tip (15) is set back from the apex by a non-zero recoil.