Modular Endodontic Irrigation Needle for Continuous Sonic Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endodontic irrigation devices fail to provide simultaneous irrigation and activation, leading to inadequate disinfection of root canals due to lack of pressurization, agitation, and risk of device damage.
Innovation Solution
A dental device with a hollow needle and modular fluid delivery connector that allows for simultaneous irrigation and activation, using a handle attachable to an endodontic handpiece or sonic agitator, featuring openings or fins for enhanced fluid delivery and agitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a stent-like design with large openings is used for irrigation, then fluid delivery is improved, but pressurization capability is lost and device fragility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a solid shaft portion and a separate working end portion with openings. This segmentation allows the shaft to maintain structural integrity while the working end provides fluid delivery functionality, resolving the contradiction between fluid delivery and device fragility.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow needle is nested within the solid shaft, creating a layered structure where the inner hollow needle provides fluid delivery pathways while the outer solid shaft provides structural support and prevents device fragility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If Nickel Titanium material is used for the device, then flexibility is improved, but agitation capability is reduced due to increased contact with canal wall
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the flexible Nickel Titanium material (used in the solid shaft for adaptability) from the working end portion (which requires rigidity for agitation). This segmentation allows each portion to have optimized properties for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and agitation capability.
3Device complexity
If irrigation and activation occur separately, then device simplicity is maintained, but disinfection efficacy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges irrigation functionality (hollow needle with fluid delivery) and activation functionality (solid shaft with agitation capabilities) into a single integrated instrument. This allows simultaneous irrigation and activation, improving disinfection efficacy while maintaining relatively simple device operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a universal instrument that performs multiple functions: irrigation through the hollow needle, activation through the solid shaft, and can be used with various handpieces. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing both irrigation and activation capabilities in one device.
4Force
If higher irrigant pressure is used to compensate for lack of activation, then irrigation force is improved, but risk of apical extrusion and toxic chemical introduction increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging irrigation and activation functions in a single device, the system achieves effective disinfection through coordinated action rather than relying on high pressure alone. The activation component provides mechanical agitation that enhances irrigation efficacy at lower pressures, thereby reducing the harmful effects of high pressure.
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
Enables thorough disinfection of root canals by ensuring continuous pressurized fluid delivery and activation, reducing the risk of device damage and improving cleaning efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
delivering fluid continuously while activated in an endodontic application
Implementation Method 2
The opposite end of the handle is capable of being attached to an endodontic handpiece or a sonic agitator for the activation
Implementation Method 3
The connector is a modular fluid delivery connector which is removable from the needle such that it can be reused
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a dental device for delivering fluid continuously while activated in an endodontic application. The dental device includes a hollow needle having a tip end and a connector portion; and a handle. One end of the handle is configured to be affixed to the connector portion of the hollow needle. The opposite end of the handle is capable of being attached to an endodontic handpiece or a sonic agitator for the activation. The connector portion includes at least one tube connector that is an integral part of the connector portion of the hollow needle or a plurality of openings on the connector portion to accommodate the hollow needle to a connector. The connector is a modular fluid delivery connector which is removable from the needle such that it can be reused.