Oscillating Prophy Angle Reducing Paste Splatter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental prophy angles suffer from excessive heat generation, limited oscillation angles, and constant one-directional rotational motion, leading to inefficient polishing and discomfort for dental professionals due to excessive paste splatter and strain.
Innovation Solution
A disposable prophy angle design featuring a drive shaft and driven shaft with a conical driving portion and projection, allowing for oscillation angles greater than 90 degrees and variable speeds, along with overmolding the prophy cup onto the driven shaft to reduce heat and improve ergonomic alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional prophy angles operate at constant one-directional rotational motion, then the prophy cup can be effectively attached to the driven shaft, but excessive dental paste splatter occurs and polishing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the constant one-directional rotational motion into variable speed oscillating motion. The drive shaft rotates continuously while the driven shaft oscillates back and forth through engagement of the conical driving portion with the recess. This dynamic motion pattern reduces centrifugal forces on the paste and minimizes splatter while maintaining effective polishing contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating motion creates periodic contact between the prophy cup and tooth surface during each oscillation cycle. The driven shaft moves forward during the forward oscillation and returns during the backward oscillation, creating periodic polishing action that improves paste distribution and reduces splatter compared to continuous unidirectional rotation.
2Ease of operation
If conventional prophy angles use orthogonal gear connection, then the drive mechanism can be compactly arranged, but the user experiences strain and discomfort during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the symmetric orthogonal gear connection with an asymmetric non-orthogonal engagement between the conical driving portion and the recess. This asymmetric arrangement changes the wrist position and orientation during operation, allowing the user to achieve a more ergonomic neutral wrist position and reducing strain on the hand and wrist.
3Temperature
If the prophy cup is made as a separate part from the driven shaft, then the prophy cup can be easily replaced, but excessive heat is generated during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the prophy cup with the driven shaft by overmolding the prophy cup directly onto the driven shaft, creating an integrated assembly. This eliminates the separate interface between the prophy cup and driven shaft, preventing relative rotational motion and the associated heat generation from friction. The integrated design also reduces the number of parts while maintaining ease of manufacture through overmolding processes.
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
This design enhances polishing efficiency by reducing downtime from heat, minimizing paste splatter, and reducing user strain through improved ergonomic alignment and reduced centrifugal forces on the dental paste.
Implementation Method 1
the driven shaft having a driven portion comprising a recess configured for engagement by the projection and/or the substantially conical portion of the drive shaft to oscillate the driven shaft at an oscillation angle greater than 90 degrees
Implementation Method 2
overmolding the prophy cup onto the driven shaft to reduce heat and improve ergonomic alignment
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable prophy angle is provided, the prophy angle comprising a housing containing a drive shaft and a driven shaft; the drive shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the distal end having a substantially conical driving portion and a projection, the proximal end of the drive shaft configured to engage a dental hand piece; and the driven shaft having a driven portion comprising a recess configured for engagement by the projection and/or the substantially conical portion of the drive shaft to oscillate the driven shaft at an oscillation angle greater than 90 degrees. In some embodiments, there is a method of making a disposable prophy angle by overmolding a prophy cup to the prophy angle. In other embodiments, there is a method of using the prophy angle to prevent tooth decay.