Root Canal Cleaning With High-Velocity Liquid Jets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional root canal procedures fail to remove all organic material from the root canal system, leading to post-procedure complications such as infections due to the smear layer of dentinal filings and remaining organic material.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using a high-velocity liquid jet to propagate acoustic energy through the tooth, detaching organic material from dentinal surfaces and flushing it out, while minimizing damage to the tooth structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional endodontic files are used to open the canal and remove organic material, then the canal is opened and some organic material is removed, but a smear layer of dentinal filings and diseased organic material remains on the dentinal walls which is extremely difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of endodontic files with an acoustic wave system. A liquid jet assembly generates acoustic waves that propagate through the tooth structure, causing cavitation and mechanical disruption of organic material without direct mechanical contact. This substitution eliminates the smear layer problem caused by mechanical filing while maintaining effective organic material removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of liquid during acoustic cavitation. The acoustic waves cause liquid to undergo rapid compression and expansion cycles, creating cavitation bubbles that collapse and generate localized high-energy shock waves. This phase transition mechanism effectively disrupts and removes organic material and smear layer from dentinal surfaces without mechanical contact.
2Ease of operation
If endodontic files are inserted into the root canal system to open the canal, then the canal is opened, but the action of the file creates a smear layer on the dentinal walls that is extremely difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical filing with acoustic wave generation. The liquid jet assembly produces acoustic waves that propagate through the tooth and create cavitation effects, disrupting organic material and smear layer without mechanical contact. This eliminates the harmful smear layer formation while maintaining canal patency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the acoustic energy that could potentially damage tooth structure into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. The acoustic waves and cavitation effects that might seem destructive are precisely what are needed to remove the smear layer and organic material effectively, transforming potential harm into therapeutic benefit.
3Productivity
If conventional root canal procedures are performed to remove organic material, then the canal is opened and filled, but organic material and necrotic tissue remain in the canal spaces resulting in post-procedure complications such as infections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical removal with acoustic wave-mediated removal. The acoustic waves propagate through the entire root canal system, including apical portions, creating cavitation effects that disrupt and remove organic material and necrotic tissue more completely than mechanical files. This reduces the risk of post-procedure infections while maintaining treatment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional mechanical file insertion to three-dimensional acoustic wave propagation. The acoustic waves can reach all canal spaces, including curved and apical portions that are difficult to access with mechanical files, ensuring more complete removal of organic material and reducing infection risk.
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 removes organic material from the root canal system, reducing the risk of infections and minimizing invasive procedures by using acoustic energy to detach and flush out organic matter without significant erosion.
Implementation Method 1
The beam forming portion may comprise an orifice that receives the pressurized liquid. The orifice may be sized and shaped to convert the pressurized liquid into a high velocity collimated beam that produces an acoustic wave upon impact with a surface of the tooth.
Implementation Method 2
The energy of the wave may cause organic material within the canal to be detached from the surrounding dentinal surface along a length of the canal.
Implementation Method 3
The apparatus may comprise a liquid jet assembly having a liquid pressurization portion which pressurizes a liquid and a liquid beam forming portion in fluid communication with the pressurization portion.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for endodontic treatment of teeth provide effective cleaning of organic material (such as pulp and diseased tissue) from the root canal system. In an embodiment, a compressor system generates high pressure liquid (e.g., water) that flows through an orifice to produce a high-velocity collimated jet of liquid. The high-velocity jet is directed toward a surface of a tooth, for example, an exposed dentinal surface, and impingement of the jet onto the surface generates an acoustic wave that propagates throughout the tooth. The acoustic wave effectively detaches organic material from dentinal surfaces and tubules. The detached organic material is flushed from the root canal system by the liquid jet and/or by additional irrigation.