Orthodontic Appliance Removal Device with Segmented Hygienic Multi-Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Orthodontic appliance removal devices with hook-like mechanisms can become entangled in clothing, leading to user discomfort, and combining seating and removal devices in a multi-tool results in hygiene concerns due to potential contamination and loss of the device.
Innovation Solution
An orthodontic appliance removal device with a shaft and lateral portion for prying and hooking, combined with a seating device and toothbrush head system that includes a center housing and toothbrush head cover for protection and hygiene, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly for cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hook-like mechanism is used for appliance removal, then removal effectiveness is improved, but entanglement in clothing occurs causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The removal device is segmented into distinct functional components: a shaft for structural support, a lateral portion for prying action, and a handle section for user grip. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with others, preventing entanglement while maintaining removal effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful hook-like mechanism that causes entanglement is extracted and replaced with a controlled prying mechanism consisting of a shaft and lateral portion. The lateral portion extends transversely from the shaft to provide leverage for appliance removal without the entanglement risks of a traditional hook
2Reliability
If seating device and removal device are combined in a multi-tool, then device loss is prevented, but hygiene concerns arise due to contamination accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-tool is segmented into separable components including a center housing, toothbrush head, and toothbrush head cover. The seating device and removal device can be independently accessed, used, and cleaned. This segmentation allows users to maintain hygiene by cleaning individual components rather than dealing with a permanently contaminated integrated device
Solution Approach 2:
The toothbrush head cover acts as an intermediary protective element that can be removed and cleaned separately. It serves as a barrier between the user's hands/pocket contents and the seating device, reducing contamination transfer while allowing the seating device to remain accessible for its intended oral hygiene functions
3Device complexity
If the seating device acts as a handle in the multi-tool, then structural integration is improved, but contaminant accumulation from user contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle function is segmented from the seating device by introducing a separate toothbrush head with handle. The seating device remains a dedicated oral contact component while the toothbrush head handle serves as the user grip element, preventing contaminant transfer to the seating device
Solution Approach 2:
The handle function is extracted from the seating device and assigned to a separate toothbrush head component. This extraction prevents the seating device from直接接触 user hands and pocket contents, eliminating the contaminant accumulation problem while maintaining the multi-functional integrated structure
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an orthodontic appliance removal device that includes a shaft defining a longitudinal dimension. The shaft includes a shaft proximate end and a shaft distal end, and a lateral portion proximate to the shaft distal end extending transversely away from the shaft in a direction generally orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension. The lateral portion includes a lateral portion proximate end that is adjacent to the shaft distal end, and a lateral portion distal end configured to contact an orthodontic appliance. A handle section is also coupled to the shaft adjacent to the shaft proximate end. In another embodiment, the orthodontic appliance removal device is a multi-tool device which further comprises a seating device for seating an orthodontic appliance and/or a toothbrush.