Lobed HVE Suction Tip with Peripheral Vents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-volume evacuator (HVE) suction tools are noisy and prone to soft-tissue plugging, causing patient discomfort and procedural challenges during dental procedures.
Innovation Solution
A suction member with a distal end featuring a plurality of lobes forming peripheral vent openings, which are in fluid communication with the suction inlet passageway, allowing for reduced tissue occlusion and quieter operation by providing venting air pathways and facilitating suction in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a traditional HVE suction tip is used, then strong suction is achieved, but excessive noise is produced and soft tissue frequently plugs the tip
Solution Approach 1:
The suction tip is divided into multiple lobes (at least three) that are spaced apart circumferentially, creating multiple peripheral vent openings between adjacent lobes. This segmentation allows the suction force to be distributed across multiple pathways rather than concentrated in a single opening, reducing the likelihood of tissue plugging any one opening while maintaining overall suction effectiveness. The lobed configuration also naturally reduces noise by distributing the suction flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral vent openings act as intermediary structures between the lobes, providing alternative airflow pathways that prevent tissue from completely occluding the suction inlet. These vent openings allow air to enter and escape laterally, creating a pressure balance that prevents tissue plugging while maintaining the negative pressure needed for effective suction.
2Ease of operation
If the suction tip is held at a steep angle to retract tissue, then tissue can be pulled away from the work area, but the tissue may suddenly occlude and plug the tip
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-lobe configuration with spaced-apart peripheral vent openings provides multiple independent pathways for air and fluid flow. When tissue contacts the suction tip during retraction, the lobed structure allows tissue to contact only certain lobes while air continues to flow through the vent openings between lobes, preventing complete occlusion and maintaining reliable suction during tissue manipulation.
3Ease of operation
If the suction tip is held at a slight angle to retract tissue, then tissue can be positioned, but the tissue may slide off into the procedure area and obstruct the view
Solution Approach 1:
The lobed structure with peripheral vent openings creates a more stable tissue-contact interface. The spaced-apart lobes provide multiple contact points with tissue, preventing the tissue from sliding off the tip while maintaining clear visibility for the operator. The vent openings allow continuous airflow that prevents tissue accumulation at the tip.
4Productivity
If a single large suction opening is used, then high-volume suction is achieved, but the tip is highly susceptible to tissue occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The suction opening is segmented into multiple peripheral vent openings distributed around the circumference of the tip, with each opening being smaller than a single large opening would be. This segmentation maintains the total cross-sectional area for high-volume suction while distributing the suction force across multiple pathways, making the tip resistant to tissue occlusion of any single opening.
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 design effectively reduces noise and soft-tissue plugging, enhancing the safety and efficiency of dental procedures by allowing for continuous suction without tissue obstruction and minimizing patient discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
Each peripheral vent opening extends proximally from a respective open distal end to a respective one of a plurality of proximally recessed surfaces and circumferentially from one of the lobes to a neighboring one of the lobes. The suction inlet passageway extends proximally through the suction tip from a distal suction opening at the distal end of the suction member to the suction flow passageway, the suction inlet passageway being circumscribed by the inner lobe surfaces and the peripheral vent openings, such that the peripheral vent openings are in fluid communication with the suction inlet passageway.
Implementation Method 2
The connection end portion is adapted and configured to connect to the dental vacuum source so as to form a sealed suction flow path from the suction flow passageway into the dental vacuum source.
Data Source
AI summary
A suction member for a high-volume evacuator (HVE) suction tool used in dental procedures. The suction member has a connection portion at a proximal end, a tubular portion connected to the connection portion, and a suction tip connected to the tubular portion at a distal end. The suction tip includes a plurality of distally protruding lobes and open-ended peripheral vent openings alternating about its circumference. The distal ends of the lobes are generally aligned in an oblique distal tangent plane inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the tubular portion. The vent openings are spaced closer together towards a front side of the suction member, and the lobes include a widest rear lobe that is useful for soft tissue retraction.