Oral Trauma Stabilizer With Shock Absorbers for Rapid Splinting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for managing oral trauma in emergency or urgent care settings are inadequate due to the limited availability of dental specialists and the time-consuming nature of traditional splinting techniques, leaving patients without effective options for stabilizing loose or fractured teeth and facial bones.
Innovation Solution
An oral trauma stabilizer device comprising an upper and lower stabilizer with shock absorbers that securely fit over the dentition, using flexible materials to stabilize the affected area until a specialist can treat the patient, incorporating features like variable cross-section channels and shock absorbers to maintain dentition and bone alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional splinting techniques are used to stabilize loose or fractured teeth, then the stabilization effectiveness is improved, but the time and labor required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate upper and lower stabilizer components that can be independently positioned and secured. Each stabilizer can be placed on unaffected teeth and connected via shock absorbers, allowing for modular application that reduces complexity and time compared to traditional custom splinting procedures
Solution Approach 2:
Shock absorbers serve as intermediary elements connecting the upper and lower stabilizers. These shock absorbers provide the necessary connection and stabilization function while absorbing mechanical forces, eliminating the need for complex direct bonding procedures used in traditional splinting
2Reliability
If surgical intervention is performed for mandible or palate fractures, then the fracture stabilization is improved, but the treatment delay increases as surgery is performed days after initial injury
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer device provides immediate preliminary stabilization of fractures at the time of injury in emergency or urgent care settings. This preliminary action maintains proper alignment and reduces movement of fractured bones before definitive surgical treatment is performed days later, bridging the critical gap in treatment timing
3Reliability
If dental specialists are consulted for oral trauma stabilization, then the treatment quality is improved, but the accessibility decreases due to limited availability of dental specialists in emergency settings
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer device is designed to be applied by non-specialist providers in emergency or urgent care settings without requiring dental specialists. The self-contained design with pre-fabricated components allows healthcare providers to perform stabilization independently, making quality stabilization accessible wherever the device is available
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
Provides rapid, cost-effective stabilization of oral trauma by maintaining affected teeth and bones in place, reducing the risk of further injury, and allowing patients to be treated in emergency settings without the need for specialized dental intervention.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of shock absorbers couple the upper stabilizer to the lower stabilizer
Data Source
AI summary
An oral trauma stabilizer includes an upper stabilizer and a lower stabilizer. A plurality of shock absorbers couple the upper stabilizer to the lower stabilizer. The upper and lower stabilizers have an arcuate body extending from a first end to a second end. A channel is formed in each arcuate body and extends along a length from the first end to the second end of the arcuate body. A cross section of each channel may vary along the length of the respective channel. In use, the oral trauma stabilizer stabilizes an injured tooth, bone, or other portion of a patient's oral anatomy using non-affected portions of the dentition or other oral anatomy to secure the oral trauma stabilizer in place.