Ultrasonic Root Canal Cleaning with Degassed Cavitation Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing root canal cleaning devices require root canal expansion, struggle with tip breakage in highly curved canals, and pose safety risks due to high-speed, high-pressure liquid jets, complicating the equipment structure and increasing production costs.
Innovation Solution
A root canal cleaning apparatus using a low-speed, low-pressure cleaning solution with an ultrasonic vibration structure, incorporating a degassed liquid, acoustic pressure generating unit, and an acoustic reflector to generate vapor bubbles, facilitating effective cleaning without direct insertion and preventing gas bubble blockage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high-speed, high-pressure liquid jet is used to clean the root canal, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but safety risks increase and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the liquid jet from high-speed and high-pressure to low-speed and low-pressure. Specifically, the liquid jet velocity is reduced to 5-20 m/s and pressure to 1-5 bar, which maintains cleaning effectiveness through prolonged contact time while eliminating safety risks associated with high-velocity jets
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by using ultrasonic vibration to generate vapor bubbles that periodically collapse (cavitation effect). This periodic collapse of vapor bubbles creates micro-jets and shock waves that effectively remove biofilm and necrotic tissue without requiring continuous high-pressure liquid flow
2Productivity
If a high-speed, high-pressure liquid jet is used to clean the root canal, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the device structure by changing from high-pressure pumping systems to low-pressure systems. The liquid jet is delivered at 1-5 bar pressure through simple channels, eliminating the need for complex high-pressure pumps, regulators, and safety mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity and production cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical high-pressure pumping system with an ultrasonic vibration-based system. The ultrasonic vibrations generate vapor bubbles through acoustic cavitation, which then perform the cleaning function, substituting the need for complex mechanical high-pressure delivery systems
3Productivity
If a tip is inserted directly into the root canal for cleaning, then the cleaning can be performed, but tip breakage occurs in highly curved canals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning function from the inserted tip by using a non-contact liquid jet delivery system. The cleaning solution is delivered through a nozzle that does not need to be inserted into the root canal, eliminating the tip breakage problem while maintaining cleaning capability through the liquid jet and vapor bubble mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a liquid jet as an intermediary between the cleaning source and the root canal. Instead of directly inserting a mechanical tip, the cleaning action is mediated through the liquid jet that carries ultrasonic vibrations and creates vapor bubbles, which then perform the cleaning function without requiring physical contact with the curved canal surfaces
4Productivity
If root canal expansion is performed to insert cleaning tips, then the cleaning can be performed, but the procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the requirement for root canal expansion by using a liquid jet delivery system that does not require mechanical insertion. The nozzle can be positioned outside the tooth structure, and the cleaning action is transmitted through the liquid jet, eliminating the need for prior canal enlargement procedures
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
Enables efficient cleaning of highly curved root canals without expansion, reduces safety risks, and lowers production costs by using a low-pressure system that effectively generates vapor bubbles and prevents gas bubble blockage.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic acoustic pressure applied to a coolant is transmitted to a cleaning solution by the acoustic pressure generating unit
Implementation Method 2
vapor bubbles are generated in the cleaning solution by the transmitted ultrasonic acoustic pressure
Implementation Method 3
an acoustic reflector that reflects and redirects the ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 4
vapor bubbles are generated in the cleaning solution by the transmitted ultrasonic acoustic pressure, and contaminants detached from the root canal surface are removed by the vapor bubbles
Data Source
AI summary
A root canal cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an acoustic pressure generating unit that operates in response to the electric input; a handpiece housing that accommodates the acoustic pressure generating unit; a coolant passage formed inside the handpiece housing; a coolant inlet that communicates with the coolant passage formed inside the handpiece housing; and a cleaning solution nozzle formed in the handpiece housing, wherein an ultrasonic acoustic pressure applied to a coolant is transmitted to a cleaning solution by the acoustic pressure generating unit, and vapor bubbles are generated in the cleaning solution by the transmitted ultrasonic acoustic pressure, and target contaminants inside the tooth including the root canal is removed by the action of the vapor bubbles and the cleaning solution on a tooth being treated. The cleaning solution includes a degassed liquid.