Dual-Material Orthodontic Aligner Seating Tool with Rippled Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for seating and removing orthodontic aligners are often bulky, uncomfortable, and require multiple devices, leading to increased costs and inconvenience for patients.
Innovation Solution
A dual-material tool with a handle portion and a seating portion featuring rippled structures, where one material is more elastic for seating and another is more rigid for unseating, allowing the tool to fit within an orthodontic aligner case and reduce the need for multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing tools for seating and removing orthodontic aligners are used, then the aligner can be seated and removed, but the tools are bulky and require multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines seating and unseating functions into a single tool by integrating a seating portion with a hook portion in one device. The seating portion features a rippled structure for seating while the hook portion enables unseating, eliminating the need for separate tools and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is designed to perform multiple functions - both seating and unseating aligners - within a single device. This multi-functional design allows patients to use one tool for all aligner handling needs, improving ease of operation while reducing the number of devices required.
2Ease of operation
If existing seating tools are used, then the aligner can be seated, but the tools are uncomfortable and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The tool features different structural characteristics in different portions: the seating portion has a rippled structure with specific wave patterns for comfortable seating, while the handle portion is designed for ergonomic grip. This localized optimization of structure for specific functions improves comfort without increasing overall tool size.
Solution Approach 2:
The seating portion incorporates a rippled structure with curved wave patterns that conform to the contours of teeth, providing comfort during seating. The handle portion also features curved ergonomic designs to fit naturally in the hand, improving ease of operation while maintaining a compact overall size.
3Reliability
If multiple devices are used for seating and removing aligners, then specific functions can be performed, but costs and inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges seating and unseating capabilities into one integrated tool, reducing the number of devices from two to one. This eliminates the need for patients to purchase, store, and clean multiple separate tools while maintaining the effectiveness of both seating and removal functions.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single-material tool is used, then the tool is simpler to manufacture, but it cannot provide both elastic and rigid properties needed for seating and unseating
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is constructed from composite materials with different physical properties in different portions. The seating portion uses a softer, more elastic material that can be chewed to seat the aligner, while the handle and hook portions use a more rigid material for structural integrity and unseating functionality. This allows a single tool to provide multiple material properties needed for different functions.
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 tool is more comfortable, durable, and cost-effective, enabling efficient seating and unseating of orthodontic aligners while minimizing the need for multiple devices, thus enhancing patient convenience and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The first material can be configured to be chewed by the teeth while the human user seats the orthodontic aligner
Implementation Method 2
the second material can be configured to be more rigid than the first material
Data Source
AI summary
A tool and method for seating an orthodontic aligner. In one aspect, the tool comprises a handle portion and a seating portion. The seating portion is connected to the handle portion. The seating portion comprises a first rippled structure and a second rippled structure. The first rippled structure and the second rippled structure each comprising one or more series of waves. The tool can further comprise a first material and a second material. The first material is more elastic than the second material, and the second material is more rigid than the first material. In another aspect, the method comprises holding a handle portion of the tool, positioning the seating portion of the tool between sets of teeth, and causing the seating portion of the tool to be pressed between the sets of teeth.