Removable LED Light Assembly for Dental Prop Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental props with integrated light sources are not easily removable for sterilization or replacement, and external light sources are ineffective in enhancing visibility within the oral cavity during dental procedures.
Innovation Solution
A selectively removable light assembly is integrated into dental props, allowing for easy detachment and sterilization of the prop while providing adequate illumination within the oral cavity, using a housing with a light source, such as a miniature bulb or LED, that can be reused with multiple prop bodies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the light source is permanently fixed to the dental prop body, then the structural integrity and stability are improved, but the ease of sterilization and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dental prop is divided into separate components: a reusable light assembly and a disposable prop body. The light assembly contains the light source, battery, and housing, while the prop body is a separate C-shaped or wedge-shaped component. This segmentation allows the light assembly to be detached for sterilization or replacement, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and ease of sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The light assembly is designed to nest within the disposable prop body during use. The light assembly fits into a cavity or recess in the prop body, creating a compact integrated unit that maintains structural integrity during the procedure while allowing easy separation for sterilization or disposal.
2Illumination intensity
If the light source is integrated into the dental prop, then the illumination effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into a self-contained light assembly that includes the light source, battery, and housing. This modular design provides effective illumination while simplifying the overall device complexity by separating the lighting function from the prop body function.
Solution Approach 2:
The light assembly is designed as a universal component that can be used with multiple different prop bodies. The standardized interface allows the same light assembly to fit various C-shaped or wedge-shaped props, reducing device complexity through multi-functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the entire dental prop is discarded after single use, then the sterilization process is simplified, but the cost and resource waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dental prop system is segmented into a disposable prop body and a reusable light assembly. Only the prop body is discarded after single use, while the light assembly is removed and reused with subsequent prop bodies. This segmentation simplifies the sterilization process (no need to sterilize electronics) while reducing resource waste by reusing the expensive light assembly component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a discard-and-recover strategy where the disposable prop body is discarded after use, but the valuable light assembly is recovered and reused. This approach simplifies sterilization (discarding rather than sterilizing the entire unit) while minimizing resource waste through recovery and reuse of the light assembly.
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 solution enhances visibility during dental procedures, facilitates sterilization and reuse of the light assembly, and ensures the light source does not interfere with dental instrument access or cause discomfort, offering a kit with reusable light assemblies and disposable props.
Implementation Method 1
A selectively removable light assembly (114) is integrated into dental props... using a housing with a light source, such as a miniature bulb or LED
Implementation Method 2
using a housing with a light source, such as a miniature bulb or LED
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an illuminated dental prop for holding a patient's mouth open during dental procedures. The illuminated dental prop is completely disposed within the patient's mouth during use and includes a body portion and a lighting assembly that is selectively detachable from the body to allow for intense sterilization of the components after use. Under certain embodiments of the invention, the body portion and/or the lighting assembly will be disposable after a single use.