Root Canal Length Measuring Apparatus with Multi-Position Impedance Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional root canal length measuring apparatuses can only accurately detect the position of the apex and not other critical positions within the root canal, such as the apical constriction, curved portions, or pathologic changes, which limits their effectiveness in root canal treatments like enlargement and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A root canal length measuring apparatus with a measurement electrode, oral electrode, measuring section, memory means, and operating means that applies an electric signal to specify the apex position and stores position data for high reproducibility, allowing for accurate measurement and display of the electrode's position within the root canal, enabling precise root canal treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional root canal length measuring apparatuses are used to detect the apex position, then the apex position can be accurately detected, but other critical positions within the root canal (apical constriction, curved portions, pathologic changes) cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the root canal measurement process by dividing it into multiple detectable positions: apex position, apical constriction position, and other critical positions. The measurement electrode systematically moves through the root canal to detect impedance changes at each segment, allowing independent identification of each position's electrical characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the measuring apparatus multi-functional by enabling it to detect not only the apex position but also the apical constriction position and other critical positions within the root canal. The same measurement electrode and impedance detection mechanism are used universally to identify all these different positions based on their unique electrical characteristics.
2Productivity
If only the apex position is measured, then the measurement process is simple and quick, but the treatment precision for root canal enlargement and cleaning is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of multiple critical positions (apex, apical constriction, curved portions) before the actual root canal treatment. By预先 identifying and recording the positions of these critical points, the treatment process can proceed with higher precision while maintaining efficiency, as the operator already has a roadmap of the root canal's critical features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides feedback by displaying the measured positions of the apex, apical constriction, and other critical points on a display device. This visual feedback allows the operator to see the identified positions and use them as reference points during treatment, ensuring that enlargement and cleaning operations are performed at the correct locations.
3Measurement precision
If impedance measurement is performed at multiple frequencies, then the accuracy of apex detection is improved, but the complexity of the measuring apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameter being measured by using impedance at multiple frequencies to improve apex detection accuracy. By measuring impedance at different frequency values, the system can distinguish the apex position more reliably. The apparatus manages this complexity by systematically varying the frequency parameter and automatically processing the multiple measurements to identify the correct position.
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 high reproducibility in measuring and treating root canal positions beyond the apex, facilitating accurate root canal treatments by storing and displaying position data, thus improving the precision and efficiency of root canal procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring section for applying an electric measuring signal between the measurement electrode and the oral electrode so as to specify an apex position so as to measure a root canal length
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a root canal length measuring apparatus and a root canal treatment apparatus which can acquire a position of a measurement electrode with high reproducibility in the same root canal. The root canal length measuring apparatus includes a measurement electrode which is inserted into a root canal, an oral electrode which is held in an oral cavity, a measuring section which applies an electric measuring signal between the measurement electrode and the oral electrode and specifies an apex position so as to measure a root canal length, a memory means which stores position data corresponding to a position of the measurement electrode in a root canal acquired by the measuring section, and an operating means which instructs the memory means to store the position data.