Customized Oral Inserts with Fluid Nozzles for Shifting Anatomy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional dental and orthodontal treatments face challenges in maintaining the fit and efficacy of oral health devices as the user's oral anatomy shifts over time, particularly during treatments involving tooth movement or the use of dental appliances like braces.
Innovation Solution
The development of oral inserts with customizable manifolds and fluid nozzles, designed according to a treatment plan, which can be adjusted to accommodate changes in oral anatomy. These oral inserts are coupled with a pump and fluid reservoir, allowing for efficient cleaning and adaptation to shifting oral anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional oral health devices are used with fixed anatomy, then manufacturing is simpler and cost-effective, but the device fit and cleaning efficacy deteriorate as oral anatomy shifts during treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by receiving the complete treatment plan at the beginning and proactively generating multiple customized oral inserts in advance, each corresponding to different stages of tooth movement. This allows the device to anticipate anatomical changes rather than reacting to them, maintaining reliability without requiring complex real-time adjustments during treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment duration is segmented into multiple stages, with each stage having its own customized oral insert. Instead of creating one complex adjustable device, the system divides the solution into multiple simpler, stage-specific inserts that are easier to manufacture and customize based on predicted tooth positions at each treatment phase
2Adaptability or versatility
If oral inserts are customized to initial oral anatomy, then initial fit is good, but the inserts become misaligned as teeth move during treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses preliminary action by receiving the complete treatment plan at the beginning and proactively generating multiple customized oral inserts in advance, each corresponding to different stages of tooth movement. This allows the device to anticipate anatomical changes rather than reacting to them, maintaining reliability without requiring complex real-time adjustments during treatment
Solution Approach 2:
Each oral insert is customized with local quality by positioning fluid nozzles specifically for the interproximal regions corresponding to that user's oral anatomy at a particular treatment stage. The system generates different nozzle configurations for different stages, with each configuration optimized for the specific tooth positions and interproximal spaces at that phase of treatment
3Reliability
If multiple customized oral inserts are generated for each treatment stage, then cleaning efficacy is maintained throughout treatment, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by receiving the complete treatment plan at the beginning and proactively generating multiple customized oral inserts in advance, each corresponding to different stages of tooth movement. This allows the device to anticipate anatomical changes rather than reacting to them, maintaining reliability without requiring complex real-time adjustments during treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies discarding and recovering by generating a sequence of oral inserts where each insert is used for a specific treatment stage and then replaced by the next insert in the sequence. Rather than maintaining one complex adjustable device, the system discards each stage-specific insert after use and recovers by deploying the next customized insert from the pre-generated set
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 solution significantly improves the cleaning efficiency and health of teeth and gums by ensuring that the oral insert's fluid nozzles remain directed at interproximal regions, even as the user's teeth move, thus maintaining effective oral hygiene throughout the treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
the pump causes fluid to exit the fluid reservoir and to be directed towards the oral anatomy of the user via the plurality of manifolds and the plurality of fluid nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
A treatment plan associated with a user is received. A plurality of oral inserts are designed based on the treatment plan associated with the user, wherein the plurality of oral inserts include a corresponding plurality of fluid nozzles, wherein a corresponding location of one, some, or all of a first plurality of fluid nozzles associated with a first oral insert of the plurality of oral inserts is different than a corresponding location of one, some, or all of a second plurality of fluid nozzles associated with a second oral insert of the plurality of oral inserts. The plurality of oral inserts are generated.