Uni-molded Pacifier with Orthodontic Stem Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pacifiers can cause adverse effects on an infant's oral cavity development, such as crossbite, open bite, and increased overjet, due to their design that applies uneven pressure on the teeth and palate, leading to improper growth and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A pacifier design featuring a uni-molded structure with a nipple, stem, and shield, where the stem contacts the base at a 55-degree or greater angle, made of resilient material, and a shield with a smaller mouth diameter than the base, incorporating a partition to limit dirt ingress and provide stress relief, and a handle that is integral with the shield for enhanced safety and stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional pacifier design is used, then the pacifier can satisfy the infant's sucking urge, but it causes adverse effects on oral cavity development such as crossbite, open bite, and increased overjet
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is designed with non-uniform thickness, being thicker at the periphery and thinner at the center, creating different mechanical properties in different regions. This local quality variation allows the shield to provide structural support while distributing pressure evenly across the infant's mouth, preventing concentrated forces that could cause dental misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the pacifier, specifically the stem angle (55-120 degrees from vertical) and the shield thickness distribution. These parameter changes optimize the force distribution mechanism, transforming the pressure application from concentrated to distributed, thereby preventing oral cavity deformities while maintaining sucking functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the shield mouth diameter is made larger, then the pacifier is easier to insert and remove, but it allows more dirt and debris to enter the internal cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The pacifier incorporates a partition made of a material different from the shield material. This partition acts as a barrier element within the composite structure, blocking dirt and debris from entering the internal cavity through the shield mouth while maintaining the desired mouth diameter for ease of insertion and removal.
3Ease of operation
If the pacifier stem is compressed by biting down, then the infant can grasp the pacifier, but pressure is exerted superiorly to the upper incisors causing intrusion and open bite
Solution Approach 1:
The stem is designed with a specific angle (55-120 degrees from vertical) and the shield with a larger diameter relative to the stem thickness. These parameter changes create a geometric configuration where biting forces are redirected through the shield structure rather than being transmitted directly to the upper incisors, preventing tooth intrusion while maintaining grasping ability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield acts as an intermediary structure between the stem and the infant's teeth. When the infant bites down on the stem, the shield intercepts and distributes the compressive forces across its larger surface area, preventing concentrated forces from being transmitted to the upper incisors and causing open bite.
4Ease of manufacture
If the pacifier is made as a uni-molded single piece, then manufacturing is simplified, but the shield may lack sufficient stiffness and stress relief
Solution Approach 1:
The shield incorporates a partition that creates local structural reinforcement within the uni-molded structure. This partition divides the shield into separate regions, providing stress relief pathways and enhancing local stiffness without requiring multiple separate components, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving structural strength.
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 design reduces the risk of adverse oral cavity effects by distributing pressure more evenly, promoting natural growth and alignment of teeth, while the smaller mouth and handle design enhance safety and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
The nipple is made of a resilient or elastic compressible material
Data Source
AI summary
Uni-molded pacifier includes nipple, stem, shield and typically a handle. The stem includes a round surface, as in classically designed pacifiers, or may be orthodontically shaped, extending proximally and longitudinally into a base which in turn is blended into a shield. Change in the base to stem contact angle lowers the applied force to the stem as compared to traditional pacifier stems and bases. The decrease in applied force to the stem equates to less pressure needed to compress the stem thru sucking activity. The shield, in this uni-molded pacifier, also has an increase in the area and mass of the center surface. This decreases diameter of the posterior mouth of the shield opening to a lumen of the base and stem which has an added benefit to make it more difficult for debris to enter the lumen. If desired there is no posterior mouth.