Thermomechanically Treated NiTi Needle for Broken Instrument Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endodontic instruments, particularly nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments, often fracture during root canal treatments due to torsional failure or cyclic fatigue, leading to broken fragments being embedded in teeth, which are difficult and costly to remove, especially from curved canals, with existing methods causing damage and limited success.
Innovation Solution
A thermomechanically treated nickel-titanium alloy needle tip that changes shape in response to temperature, becoming straight at room temperature and curved at body temperature, allowing it to adapt to canal morphology and securely engage broken instruments for removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional endodontic instruments are used to remove broken fragments, then removal attempts can be made, but the procedure causes damage to root canal dentin, ledging, perforation, and extrusion of the fractured instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The needle utilizes temperature-induced phase transformation of the NiTi alloy, changing from martensite phase at room temperature to austenite phase at body temperature, which alters its shape and engagement characteristics to enable effective retrieval without damaging the root canal structure
Solution Approach 2:
The NiTi alloy needle undergoes phase transition between martensite and austenite phases in response to temperature changes, allowing it to adapt its shape and mechanical properties to engage and retrieve broken instruments safely from curved canals without causing structural damage
2Adaptability or versatility
If NiTi instruments are used for root canal preparation, then flexibility and torsional resistance are improved, but fracture of the instrument during treatment occurs due to torsional failure or cyclic fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The NiTi alloy needle exploits temperature-dependent phase transformation to change its mechanical properties, being flexible during insertion at room temperature and becoming more rigid when engaged by body heat, thereby preventing fracture during the retrieval process
Solution Approach 2:
The martensite-austenite phase transition in the NiTi alloy allows the needle to dynamically adjust its mechanical properties based on temperature, providing both flexibility for navigation and strength for engagement, thus preventing instrument fracture
3Adaptability or versatility
If the needle tip is made flexible to adapt to curved canals, then access to broken instruments is improved, but the needle may deform or fail to engage the instrument securely
Solution Approach 1:
The needle tip changes its shape and rigidity parameters in response to temperature, allowing it to conform to curved canals during insertion and then secure the broken instrument when heated by body temperature, ensuring both adaptability and reliable engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The phase transition from martensite to austenite in the NiTi alloy enables the needle tip to transform from a flexible state that adapts to canal curvature to a rigid state that securely engages the broken instrument, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and engagement reliability
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 needle effectively retrieves broken endodontic instruments from both straight and curved canals with minimal damage, enhancing the success rate of root canal treatments and reducing complications by providing a flexible, fatigue-resistant, and cost-effective solution.
Implementation Method 1
said tip is fabricated with a temperature-sensitive alloy; and wherein said tip takes a specific shape in the canal from which the endodontic separated instrument is to be removed when the tip is inserted inside the canal
Implementation Method 2
A thermomechanically treated nickel-titanium alloy needle tip that changes shape in response to temperature
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a needle tip for extracting separated endodontic instruments from the root canal of a tooth. The needle tip is fabricated with a thermomechanically treated alloy exhibiting both shape memory and super-elasticity. There is also provided for a needle that includes a handle and a terminal tip, which is fabricated with a thermomechanically treated alloy. The alloy is thermomechanically treated nickel- titanium alloy. The needle is straight at room temperature and takes on a specific shape when inserted in the canal of the tooth from which the endodontic separated instrument is to be extracted. Also provided herein is a method for removal of endodontic separated instruments from the canal of a tooth.