Modular Dental Retraction Illumination System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental appliances fail to provide adequate illumination to the buccal surfaces of molar teeth during procedures, are not cost-effective, and pose environmental and sterilization challenges due to their integral and electronic nature.
Innovation Solution
A modular intraoral assembly with a frame and detachable adapter units made of semi-rigid silicone, featuring integrated light sources and an external power source, designed to retract lips and cheeks while providing illumination to obscured areas within the oral cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If integral retractor-illuminator devices are used, then illumination of oral cavity is provided, but device complexity increases and disposal costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a retractor component and an illuminator component. The retractor is used to hold the cheek open, while the illuminator is a separate handheld device that provides light. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The illuminator device is designed to be a universal handheld illumination tool that can be used with various retractors and for different dental procedures. The external power source design allows the illuminator to be detached and reused with different patients and procedures, reducing disposal costs.
2Illumination intensity
If integral retractor-illuminator devices are used, then illumination function is integrated, but manufacturing and recycling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the retractor and illuminator into different components, each can be manufactured using different processes and materials optimized for its specific function. The illuminator with its electronic components and power source can be manufactured separately from the medical-grade retractor, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows the illuminator to be detached from the retractor and reused across multiple patients and procedures. Only the retractor portion needs to be disposed of or sterilized between patients, while the expensive illuminator component with its power source and electronics can be recovered and reused, significantly reducing manufacturing and recycling costs.
3Illumination intensity
If LED light sources are used, then illumination is provided, but thermal effects onto oral tissue occur
Solution Approach 1:
The design separates the light source (LED) from the portion that contacts the patient's mouth. The illuminator contains the LED and power source but is held by the operator, while only the retractor contacts the patient. This intermediary arrangement allows the use of high-power LEDs for illumination without exposing oral tissue to the thermal effects generated by the LED.
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 modular design reduces disposal and recycling costs, withstands multiple sterilizations, and prevents thermal effects, offering effective and environmentally friendly illumination for dental procedures.
Implementation Method 1
light source(s), such as light emitting diode(s)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3
AI summary
A modular intraoral assembly 10 is provided combining a lip and cheek retraction function with mouth cavity illumination means, said assembly comprises a frame11 and a pair of identical detachable adapter units 21. The frame 11 is provided with two adapter mount portions each of those is configured to accommodate at least one light source 41. Each adapter unit 21 is provided with a crescent-shaped part 21a with a groove 22 for engaging margins of patient's lips at the corners of a mouth, and a projection 21b to pertain to the inside of the cheek. First and second adapter units 21 are configured to be mounted onto corresponding adapter mount portions of the frame 11 in such a way, that each adapter mount portion receives one adapter unit 21 so, that the light source 41 is encased by the projection 21b and grooves 22 of each adapter unit 2 face substantially opposite directions.