Nested Dental Capsule for Sequential Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental mixing and dispensing methods are time-consuming and limited in chemistry, particularly when dealing with quick-setting pastes and requiring multiple initiators, as they often involve separate mixing stages and tools, and are not practical for storing two different initiators together.
Innovation Solution
A dental capsule with a plunger and two open-ended liquid receptacles, each with a centrally weakened portion, that allows sequential mixing and dispensing of a first and second liquid with a powder, providing tactile feedback and transparent components for mixing visibility, along with a frangible membrane for applicator access, enabling efficient mixing and dispensing of dental materials in a single tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate mixing stages and tools are used for dental compounds, then chemistry versatility is limited, but device complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is divided into multiple separate compartments (first liquid receptacle, second liquid receptacle, and powder receptacle) that are sequentially activated. This segmentation allows different chemical components to be stored separately and mixed in a controlled manner, enabling versatile chemistry while maintaining a relatively simple single-use device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The first liquid receptacle is nested within the second liquid receptacle, which is in turn nested within the main capsule body containing powder. This nested arrangement allows multiple chemical components to be integrated in a compact single-use capsule, achieving chemistry versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Device complexity
If multiple initiators are stored together in the powder component, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to premature reaction
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple initiators are placed in separate liquid receptacles rather than mixed together in the powder. This segmentation prevents premature chemical reactions while allowing both initiators to be present in the same capsule system, maintaining storage simplicity without compromising reaction control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The initiators are extracted from the powder component and placed into separate liquid receptacles. This extraction allows the initiators to be stored separately from each other and from the powder, preventing premature reaction while maintaining the simplicity of a single capsule system.
3Ease of operation
If quick-setting paste is mixed using traditional methods, then ease of operation is reduced, but device complexity is minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing and dispensing functions are merged into a single sequential operation. Depressing the plunger simultaneously activates the liquid receptacles, mixes the components in the chamber, and prepares the paste for dispensing through the same aperture, greatly improving ease of operation for quick-setting materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is pre-configured with all components (liquids and powder) in their respective receptacles before use. The weakened portions are pre-formed to ensure reliable activation. This preliminary preparation eliminates mixing preparation time and ensures immediate mixing when activated, improving ease of operation for time-sensitive applications.
4Loss of information
If transparent materials are used for capsule components, then visibility of mixing process is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Transparency is applied locally to specific components (such as the capsule body or selected receptacles) rather than requiring all components to be transparent. This allows visibility of the mixing process in critical areas while using more manufacturable materials for other components, balancing information visibility with manufacturing precision requirements.
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 efficient mixing and dispensing of dental pastes with two liquid and one powder components in a single tool, reducing time and complexity, while allowing for precise control and visibility of the mixing process, and accommodating multiple initiators without separate storage issues.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid in the receptacle is pushed hydraulically through the front portion into the main chamber where it mixes with the material in the main chamber
Implementation Method 2
a frangible membrane covering the aperture at the distal end of the main body. More Preferably, the frangible membrane which when broken provides access for an applicator device
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 8
AI summary
A dental capsule for mixing and dispensing dental materials comprised of at least three components, the capsule comprising: a plunger; a first open-ended liquid receptacle adapted to receive the plunger; a second open-ended liquid receptacle adapted to receive the first liquid receptacle; and a main body with a proximal end, a distal end, a chamber open at the proximal end and an aperture in the distal end; wherein the chamber is adapted to receive the second liquid receptacle; and wherein the dental capsule is adapted to mix various components of the dental materials and form a dental paste for dispensing.