Oral Sampling Tip With Lumen Reservoir for Deep Pocket Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oral hygiene tools struggle to effectively remove plaque biofilm from deep periodontal pockets, monitor plaque removal efficacy, and collect samples of plaque biofilm and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) for precise treatment, due to limited access and lack of standardized methods.
Innovation Solution
A device with a tip member featuring a lumen and reservoir for collecting samples, capable of accessing deep pockets, conforming to tooth contours, and using sonication for plaque removal, with the option to impregnate tips with antimicrobial agents for targeted delivery and integrated sensors for monitoring and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If traditional toothbrushes and floss are used for plaque removal, then ease of operation is maintained, but the ability to access deep periodontal pockets is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the oral hygiene function into separate modular components: a handle unit and interchangeable tip members. Different tip members can be selected for different tasks (plaque removal, sampling, measurement), allowing deep pocket access without requiring the user to master multiple complex techniques simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces an intermediary sampling tip member that can be inserted into deep periodontal pockets to collect plaque and gingival crevicular fluid samples. This intermediary tool bridges the gap between the user's limited manual dexterity and the need to access deep subgingival environments that traditional tools cannot reach.
2Length of moving object
If water flossers are used to reach deeper pockets, then penetration depth is improved, but the dampening effects of tissues limit their efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The device replaces the water-based mechanical flushing system with a controlled mechanical scraping and sampling system. The tip members are designed with specific geometries that allow direct mechanical contact with plaque biofilm, enabling reliable plaque removal through controlled mechanical action rather than relying on water flow that gets dampened by tissues.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If anti-microbial oral rinses are used, then surface bacteria are neutralized, but impact on deeper layers of hydrophobic biofilm matrix is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts samples of plaque biofilm and gingival crevicular fluid directly from deep periodontal pockets. By physically removing and collecting the biofilm matrix and associated fluids, the system enables analysis and targeted treatment of the deeper bacterial layers that oral rinses cannot effectively reach, while complementing the surface-level action of antimicrobial rinses.
4Measurement precision
If plaque removal efficacy is to be measured precisely, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single tip member: plaque removal, sample collection, and measurement capabilities. The tip members can be designed with combined features such as scaling surfaces for plaque removal and integrated sensors or sampling ports for simultaneous measurement, reducing the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining measurement precision.
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 effective daily plaque biofilm removal, provides feedback on removal efficacy, and facilitates precise sampling of plaque and GCF for microbiome analysis, potentially improving oral and systemic health outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
using sonication for plaque removal
Implementation Method 2
a lumen passing through the tip body, and a reservoir coupled to a proximal end of the lumen
Data Source
AI summary
A sample collecting device is provided, including: a handle having an interface at a first end; and a tip member coupled to the interface, the tip member comprising: a tip body; a lumen passing through the tip body; and a reservoir coupled to a proximal end of the lumen. A sample collecting method is provided, including: positioning a tip member of a device inside a subject's mouth, the device including a handle having an interface at a first end, wherein the tip member is coupled to the interface and the tip member includes: a tip body, a lumen passing through the tip body, and a reservoir coupled to a proximal end of the lumen; guiding the tip member along teeth and/or gums of a subject; and collecting a sample from the subject's mouth in the reservoir of the device.