Pre-charged Prophy Angle with Dual Drive Paste Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-contained prophy angles are inefficient and cost-ineffective due to complexity and lack of control over paste discharge, which hinders their clinical relevance and commercial viability.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained prophy angle with independent control over paste advancement and discharge, featuring a dual drive mechanism where a first drive mechanism powers a rotatable head assembly, and a secondary drive mechanism, comprising a helical thread and actuator, allows controlled paste expression from a chamber to the distal end, enabling precise paste delivery during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a self-contained prophy angle with paste storage chamber is implemented, then paste delivery control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prophy angle is divided into functionally independent segments: a first drive mechanism for rotating the prophy cup and a second drive mechanism for advancing paste. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be optimized independently, with the paste advancement mechanism featuring a barrel cam and finger actuator that can be engaged or disengaged from the rotation mechanism, thereby controlling paste delivery without affecting cup rotation and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A barrel cam acts as an intermediary between the finger actuator and the paste advancement system. The barrel cam translates rotational motion from the second drive mechanism into linear advancement of the paste, providing controlled paste delivery. This intermediary component simplifies the control interface while maintaining precise paste advancement independent of the rotation mechanism.
2Manufacturing precision
If independent dual drive mechanism is used, then paste delivery precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic engagement and disengagement between the two drive mechanisms. The second drive mechanism (barrel cam and finger actuator) can be selectively engaged to advance paste only when needed, while the first drive mechanism continuously rotates the prophy cup. This dynamic operation allows precise control of paste delivery timing and quantity, improving manufacturing precision while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple through modular design.
3Productivity
If pre-charged paste chamber is implemented, then clinical efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prophy angle is pre-charged with paste in a storage chamber before clinical use. The barrel cam and second drive mechanism are pre-positioned to advance the paste from this pre-loaded chamber to the prophy cup as needed during the procedure. This preliminary charging eliminates the need for manual paste application during treatment, improving clinical efficiency while the modular advance mechanism keeps the added complexity manageable.
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 provides efficient and cost-effective controlled paste delivery, enhancing clinical efficacy while maintaining independence from the paste-dispensing mechanism, addressing the inefficiencies and cost issues of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary drive mechanism, comprising a helical thread and actuator, allows controlled paste expression from a chamber to the distal end
Data Source
AI summary
A pre-charged prophy angle having a (a) housing that includes a paste chamber, a rotatable head, a drive shaft, and a tube defining in part the paste chamber, the housing and paste chamber configured such that paste within the paste chamber can be dispensed without contacting the drive shaft; (b) a cup secured to the rotatable head, and (c) a paste dispensing assembly having a plunger movably secured to a push rod configured to reciprocally move linearly within the housing, the plunger including a clip for gripping the push rod such that linear movement of the push rod in a first direction causes the plunger to move in the first direction, while the clip precludes movement of the plunger in a second direction when the push rod in directed in the second direction.