LED-Integrated Cheek Retractor for Shadow-Free Oral Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental illumination methods, such as external light sources, face challenges like shadowing from the dentist's head or hands, equipment obstruction, and reduced light intensity with distance, which hinder clear visualization of the oral cavity during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A dental apparatus with cheek retractors and a flexible arm connecting them, featuring light-emitting diodes (LEDs) attached to the retractors, providing internal illumination without external light sources, allowing for improved access and reduced shadowing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an external light source is used to illuminate the oral cavity, then the dentist can see the interior of the mouth, but shadows are caused by the dentist's head, hands, or equipment blocking the light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by placing the light source inside the oral cavity rather than outside. The cheek retractor with integrated LED positions the illumination source within the mouth, causing light to emanate from the treatment area rather than from beyond it, thereby eliminating shadowing from external objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is nested within the cheek retractor structure itself. The LED is integrated into the retractor body, which is then placed within the oral cavity, creating a nested configuration where the illumination device is contained within the positioning device, both working together to provide shadow-free illumination.
2Illumination intensity
If an external light source is used, then illumination can be provided, but light intensity diminishes as distance between the light source and patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the illumination approach and placing the light source inside the mouth, the patent eliminates the distance problem inherent in external lighting. The LED is positioned immediately adjacent to the treatment site, ensuring maximum light intensity where needed without the attenuation that occurs over distance with external sources.
3Illumination intensity
If an external light source is used, then the oral cavity can be illuminated, but patient eye discomfort is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the discomfort issue by inverting the light direction. Instead of shining light into the patient's eyes from outside the mouth, the LED positioned inside the oral cavity illuminates the treatment area from within, directing light away from the patient's eyes and eliminating the discomfort associated with external lighting.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If a light source is placed between the dentist and the mouth, then shadows from the dentist are removed, but the device occupies desired space in the oral cavity and blocks the mouth
Solution Approach 1:
The cheek retractor is designed with differentiated zones: a U-shaped trough portion that contacts the cheek externally and a ridge portion that extends into the mouth. The LED is positioned on the ridge, providing localized illumination exactly where needed without requiring a large device to occupy space. The structure is optimized to provide light only in the specific treatment area.
Solution Approach 2:
The cheek retractor is segmented into functional portions: an external U-shaped trough for positioning and an internal ridge for light emission. This segmentation allows the illumination function to be separated from the positioning function, enabling compact design that doesn't occupy excessive space while still providing effective illumination.
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 apparatus enhances illumination within the oral cavity, reducing shadows and discomfort, enabling better visualization and access for dental procedures without obstructing the dentist's view or range of motion.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus has a light illumination system which uses light emitting diodes to illuminate the interior of the mouth
Data Source
AI summary
A dental apparatus for retracting the cheeks and lips of a patient and illuminating the oral cavity of a patient is provided. The dental apparatus includes LEDs mounted on the cheek retractors. The apparatus allows a dentist to illuminate the interior of the oral cavity without needing additional equipment that hinders access to the oral cavity.