Prophy Cup Discharge Guard With Bristles for Paste Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The discharge of polishing compounds, saliva, and their mixtures from rotating dental tools such as prophy cups during dental treatments leads to complications, including loss of polishing compound and the need for additional cleaning and protection measures.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a discharge guard system comprising a body member with bristles or other structures that interact with the outer surface of the prophy cup to distribute and direct discharge materials, preventing their accumulation and ejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a prophy cup rotates during dental treatment, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but discharge of polishing compound and saliva increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidloss of polishing compound

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge guard extracts and removes the harmful discharge of polishing compound and saliva from the system by intercepting materials before they are ejected from the prophy cup, containing them within the guard structure where they can be collected or redirected

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge guard acts as an intermediary component between the rotating prophy cup and the surrounding environment, intercepting discharge materials and preventing their direct ejection while allowing the cup to continue rotating effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a prophy cup rotates during dental treatment, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but additional cleaning and protection measures are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidadditional cleaning and protection measures

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge guard combines multiple functions into a single component: it contains discharge materials, prevents their ejection, and facilitates their collection or redirection, thereby eliminating the need for separate cleaning and protection measures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If discharge materials accumulate on the prophy cup, then discharge is prevented, but cleaning efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge preventionVSAvoidcleaning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge guard extracts discharge materials from the prophy cup surface by intercepting them as they are generated during rotation, preventing accumulation on the cup while maintaining cleaning efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge guard serves as an intermediary that captures discharge materials before they can accumulate on the prophy cup, allowing the cup to maintain its cleaning efficiency while still preventing discharge

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12502263B2Dental cleaner discharge guard systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 ULTRADENT PROD INC

AI summary

Rotating dental systems and related guards and methods are disclosed. In some instances, a guard may be configured to prevent material from building up on at least a portion of the dental system. The guard may be configured to prevent materials from being discharged from the dental system. In some embodiments, the guard may also be configured to direct the flow of material along a portion of the dental system. Some guards within the scope of this disclosure may include bristles.