Disposable Micro-Abrasive Blasting Tip for Dental Applications
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-contained air abrasion devices for dental procedures are limited by the need for orientation-specific operation, prone to back pressure buildup, and require bulky custom connectors for pressurized gas delivery, which can lead to contamination and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A micro-abrasive blasting device with a spherical mixing chamber and a continuous pipette structure that uses the delivery conduit to seal the abrasive material, eliminates the need for caps, and allows for pressurized gas delivery through standard fittings, ensuring consistent mixing regardless of orientation and preventing liquid contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stationary mixing apparatus with extended hand-piece is used, then operational flexibility and orientation independence are improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mixing chamber and hand-piece into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate stationary mixing apparatus and extended hand-piece assemblies. This merging maintains operational flexibility while reducing overall device complexity and component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated mixing chamber-hand-piece design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it mixes the abrasive material, directs the stream, and can be held at any orientation during operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components while maintaining operational independence from orientation.
2Weight of moving object
If mixing apparatus is integrated into hand-held device, then device portability is improved, but operational flexibility is limited by mixing chamber orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber is directly integrated into the hand-held device body, creating a compact portable unit that maintains full operational flexibility. The design allows the mixing chamber to function effectively at any orientation while keeping the device lightweight and portable.
3Reliability
If custom connectors are used for pressurized gas delivery, then connection reliability is improved, but contamination risk and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to accept standard pressurized gas connectors through the hand-piece rather than requiring custom connectors. This universal interface reduces contamination risk and simplifies the system while maintaining reliable gas delivery for abrasive material propulsion.
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 reduces component count, eliminates back pressure, and allows for efficient, orientation-independent operation, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing the reliability of dental procedures by preventing contamination and ensuring consistent powder agitation.
Implementation Method 1
When abrasive powder is mixed with gas at higher pressure, the gas carries the abrasive powder as the gas accelerates and flows to the lower pressure. As the gas and abrasive powder blast the target material at high speed, the impact of the particles removes layers of the target material.
Implementation Method 2
As the gas and abrasive powder blast the target material at high speed, the impact of the particles removes layers of the target material.
Implementation Method 3
The delivery conduit acts as a seal to the mixing chamber as the delivery conduit outlet abuts the discharge conduit inlet.
Implementation Method 4
a separation gap between the delivery conduit outlet and the discharge conduit inlet to generate a rapidly expanding and contracting gas-stream that forms a pressure gradient within the mixing chamber to generate and control powder agitation rates
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present invention is a micro-abrasive blasting device (75) constructed from a disposable pipette structure (80) comprising a delivery conduit (30) extending from a delivery conduit inlet (35) through a tapered section (33) to form a delivery conduit outlet (37) and a inlet port (27); contiguous pipette structure (80) expands from inlet port (27) to form a hollow bulb mixing chamber (23) and then narrows to form a discharge port (29) section; a discharge conduit (10) is in fluid communications with discharge port (29) and extends from a discharge conduit inlet (12) internal to mixing chamber (23) to a discharge conduit outlet (14) external to mixing chamber (23); a particulate matter (50) is disposed within mixing chamber wall (25); discharge conduit inlet (12) abuts inlet port (27) preventing particulate matter (50) from exiting mixing chamber 23. A separation gap (45) between the delivery conduit outlet (37) and discharge conduit inlet (12) is created as discharge conduit (10) is displaced so discharge conduit inlet (12) no longer abuts inlet port (27); As pressurized-gas is supplied to micro- abrasive blasting device (75) through the delivery conduit inlet (35), the pressurized-gas flows through the delivery conduit (30) and out of the inlet port (27), into mixing chamber (23). As flow is initiated, particulate matter (50) instantaneously mixes with the gas-steam within hollow resilient bulb mixing chamber (23) and the powder-gas mixture flows through discharge conduit (10) to strike target surface (40).