Nested Container Dental Appliance Ultrasonic Cleaning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic cleaning systems for dental appliances risk cross-contamination due to direct contact with contaminated cleaning solutions through tears or pinholes in storage bags, aerosolization, and condensation drippage, making it impractical to replace the cleaning solution and clean the tank before each use.
Innovation Solution
A nested container system that provides acoustic coupling with the cleaning solution while isolating the dental appliance within a separate volume, shielding it from contaminated mist and solution through a dual-container design with a false bottom for fluid coupling and secure lids to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a disposable storage bag or glass beaker is used to isolate the dental appliance from contaminated cleaning solution, then cross-contamination risk is reduced, but contamination can still occur through tears, pinholes, aerosolization, or condensation drippage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested container system where an inner container (disposable storage bag or beaker) is placed within an outer container. The inner container holds the dental appliance and provides first-level isolation, while the outer container provides second-level protection against aerosolization and condensation. This nested arrangement creates multiple barriers, ensuring that even if the inner container has defects, the appliance remains protected.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the inner container that directly contacts the appliance, the outer container that captures aerosols and condensation, and the cleaning solution reservoir. This segmentation allows each component to address specific contamination pathways independently, improving overall protection reliability.
2Reliability
If the cleaning solution is replaced and the tank is cleaned before each use, then cross-contamination risk is minimized, but this is generally impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dental appliance from the main cleaning tank by placing it in a separate inner container that is then positioned within the tank. This allows the appliance to be cleaned by ultrasonic energy transmitted through the container walls without direct contact with the contaminated cleaning solution, eliminating the need to replace the solution or clean the tank between uses.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner container acts as an intermediary barrier between the dental appliance and the contaminated cleaning solution. Ultrasonic energy passes through this intermediary to clean the appliance, while the container prevents direct contact with contaminants. The outer container further mediates by capturing aerosols and condensation, maintaining solution integrity without requiring replacement.
3Device complexity
If a single container is used to hold the dental appliance in cleaning solution, then the system is simple, but direct contact with contaminated solution causes cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single container, the patent uses a nested structure where an inner container is placed within an outer container. The inner container provides direct isolation of the appliance, while the outer container adds protection against aerosols and condensation. This nested approach maintains relative simplicity while dramatically improving protection reliability through layered defense.
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
Effectively segregates dental appliances from contaminated cleaning solutions, reducing the risk of cross-contamination and ensuring the appliance remains clean during removal by maintaining acoustic energy transfer without direct contact with the contaminated solution.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic transducers that may conduct ultrasonic acoustic energy (for example, 20-400 kilohertz) through the tank wall (typically the bottom wall) into the tank cavity
Implementation Method 2
The acoustic energy induces cavitation in the cleaning solution drawing contaminants into the cleaning solution
Implementation Method 3
an outer supporting container providing acoustic coupling with the cleaning solution in the standard ultrasound cleaning tank
Implementation Method 4
The agitation provided by the ultrasound may atomize the cleaning solution producing a fine mist above the cleaning solution
Data Source
AI summary
A system for ultrasonic cleaning of dental appliances provides nested containers adapted to communicate ultrasonic energy therethrough to provide cleaning of a dental appliance contained within the innermost container using a standard ultrasound machine without cross-contamination with liquid from the main ultrasound bath.