Pliable Dental Suction Tube with Adjustable Collars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental suction devices can be disruptive and uncomfortable for patients due to their rigid design, often causing tissue abrasions and bruising, and they do not effectively manage saliva accumulation during procedures without interrupting the dental workflow.
Innovation Solution
A dental suction device featuring a pliable tube with adjustable retaining collars and ties that can be looped around the patient's teeth for secure positioning, allowing for flexible placement and patient-controlled suction, minimizing discomfort and disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid tubing is used for dental suction, then the device can maintain its shape and provide effective suction, but it causes tissue abrasions and bruising to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid tubing with a flexible, pliable tube that can conform to the patient's oral tissues without causing abrasions or bruising. The flexible material maintains sufficient structural integrity for suction while eliminating the harmful rigid edges that cause tissue damage.
2Productivity
If a rigid suction device is periodically inserted into the patient's mouth, then effective saliva removal is achieved, but the dental procedure is disrupted and patient comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible suction device is pre-positioned and secured to the patient's teeth at the beginning of the procedure using retaining collars and ties. This preliminary securing allows the device to remain in place throughout the entire procedure, eliminating the need for periodic reinsertion and maintaining both procedure continuity and patient comfort.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a suction device is secured to teeth using clamps or fasteners, then the device remains fixed during the procedure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing mechanism is divided into separate, simple components: individual retaining collars that slide onto the tube and ties that wrap around the teeth. Each component performs a single, simple function, making the overall system easier to manufacture and assemble while achieving stable fixation.
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 device effectively manages fluid levels in the patient's mouth without causing abrasions or bruising, allowing for continuous operation without interrupting the dental procedure, and can be adjusted for patient comfort and controlled by the patient themselves.
Implementation Method 1
a pliable tube having a first end for connection to a vacuum source and a second end for positioning in a patient's mouth, the second end having a plurality of apertures through which fluid is suctioned from the patient's mouth
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dental suction device for managing fluid in a patient's mouth during a dental procedure. The dental suction device comprises a pliable tube having a first end for connection to a vacuum source and a second end that can be looped to form a suction end for positioning in a patient's mouth. The loop is adjustably secured by a pair of retaining collars positioned a certain distance apart from each other along the second end of the tube and connected together by a tie. The loop, adjusted to accommodate the shape of the patient's mouth, is secured around the terminal end of a row of teeth in the patient's mouth. In this way, the dental suction device can be maintained and operated in the patient's mouth during a dental procedure.