Prophy Angle Airflow Generator Reduces Slurry Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing prophy cups experience significant buildup of materials like blood, dental polish, and saliva during dental procedures, leading to contamination as these materials are ejected from the patient's mouth, potentially spreading blood-borne pathogens over a wide area.

Innovation Solution

A dental prophy angle with an internal airflow generator that produces an airflow pattern over the outer surface of the prophy cup, reducing material accumulation and ejection by using a rotating blade fan and wiper to remove materials from the cup's surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a prophy cup is used to remove deposits from tooth surfaces, then dental prophylaxis is effective, but slurry and saliva accumulate on the cup surface and are ejected, creating contamination areas up to 40-50 inches wide and 30-40 inches high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprophylaxis effectivenessVSAvoidcontamination spread

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful slurry and saliva materials are extracted from the prophy cup surface through an integrated airflow generator that creates a controlled air stream to blow the accumulated materials away from the cup, preventing their ejection and reducing contamination spread in the dental environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

An airflow mediator is introduced between the prophy cup and the surrounding environment. The airflow generator creates a protective air stream that acts as an intermediary barrier, directing accumulated slurry and saliva away from the cup surface and preventing their uncontrolled ejection into the dental operatio

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If prophy paste with abrasive particles is applied against the tooth surface, then deposits are removed, but slurry builds up and entrains saliva to form rope-like masses that migrate along the cup surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeposit removal efficiencyVSAvoidslurry buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow generator operates continuously during the prophy procedure to maintain a constant air stream over the prophy cup surface. This continuous airflow prevents slurry and saliva from accumulating and forming rope-like masses, ensuring the cup surface remains relatively clean throughout the entire dental prophylaxis process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

A pneumatic system is integrated into the prophy angle through an airflow generator that uses compressed air to create a directed air stream. This pneumatic mechanism blows accumulated slurry and saliva off the prophy cup surface, preventing buildup and maintaining cleaning effectiveness without interrupting the dental procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Speed

If the prophy cup rotates at high speed to perform prophylaxis, then cleaning action is effective, but material ejection velocity increases, expanding the contamination area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecup rotation speedVSAvoidcontamination area

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow generator applies a preliminary counter-action to the material ejection process. By creating an air stream that opposes the direction of material ejection, the system prevents slurry and saliva from being propelled outward at high velocity, thereby reducing the expansion of contamination areas even during high-speed cup rotation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

Effectively minimizes the ejection of contaminants from the patient's mouth by reducing material buildup on the prophy cup, thereby enhancing safety and reducing the risk of contamination.

Implementation Method 1

An airflow generator is positioned within the drive head. The airflow generator produces an airflow pattern that exits from the drive head.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow generation: Fan

Implementation Method 2

The airflow pattern travels over the outer surface of the prophy cup. The air flow pattern reduces the amount of material that builds up on the outer surface of the prophy cup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow over surface: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10631963B1Prophy angle with internal airflow generator

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 AKHA LLC

AI summary

A dental prophy angle reduces the ejection of blood, dental polish, and saliva from a patient's mouth during a dental procedure. The dental prophy angle includes a drive head with an airflow generator is positioned within the drive head. The airflow generator produces an airflow pattern that exits from the drive head. A prophy cup is attached to the drive head. The airflow pattern travels over the outer surface of the prophy cup. The air flow pattern reduces the amount of material that builds up on the outer surface of the prophy cup, thereby reducing the ejection of material from the patient's mouth. In certain embodiments, the prophy cup is transparent to enable a dental practitioner to visualize the prophy paste within the prophy cup.