Dental Screwdriver With Rotatable Gear for Intraoral Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental screwdrivers are cumbersome and difficult to manipulate, requiring extensive training and experience, and pose a safety hazard due to the risk of components falling into the patient's mouth during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A dental screwdriver with a rotatable gear and adjustable handle that allows for manual dexterity and sensitivity, enabling one-finger operation for initial phases and two-finger operation for final stages, with a ratchet adapter for additional torque, preventing the screwdriver head from falling inside the mouth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a ratchet device is integrated into the dental screwdriver to provide torque, then the torque force is sufficient for tightening and loosening screws, but the device becomes cumbersome and difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The dental screwdriver is divided into separate functional components: a handle for manipulation, a shank for transmission, and a screwdriver head for engagement. The ratchet mechanism is integrated only into the handle portion, allowing the slender shank and head to remain simple and easy to manipulate while still providing torque through the ratchet's mechanical advantage.
2Ease of operation
If the screwdriver head is made small to access tight spaces in the mouth, then it can reach difficult locations, but it becomes liable to fall inside the mouth creating a safety hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The screwdriver head is designed to nest within or attach to the shank when not in use, creating a telescoping or snap-fit connection. This allows the head to be small for accessing tight spaces while being securely retained on the shank, preventing it from falling into the patient's mouth. The handle provides additional retention through the ratchet mechanism.
3Force
If the handle is made long to provide leverage for torque, then sufficient tightening force can be applied, but the device becomes more difficult to maneuver in the patient's mouth
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is segmented into a handle with the ratchet mechanism, a slender shank for transmission, and a compact head. The handle can be optimized for leverage while the shank remains slender for maneuverability. The shank acts as a flexible transmission element that can navigate curved paths in the mouth while the handle remains outside the oral cavity where leverage can be effectively applied.
4Measurement precision
If manual dexterity is used for initial screw fastening to maintain control, then precision is improved, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires extensive training
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism is pre-configured with a limited rotation mechanism that allows the operator to set a predetermined torque limit before beginning the tightening process. This preliminary setup enables the operator to achieve precise control over the final tightening phase without requiring extensive training, as the ratchet mechanically prevents over-tightening. The operator can rely on the mechanical guide for the final stages while using manual dexterity only for initial positioning.
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
Facilitates controlled and straightforward securing and removal of dental structures with sufficient torque, enhancing safety and ease of use by allowing one-hand operation and preventing components from falling.
Implementation Method 1
a rotatable gear radially rotatable about the shank axis and coupled to a proximal end of the shank such that the shank extends axially from a central opening of the gear, the gear configured to provide torque to drive a radial rotation of the shank and the screwdriver head about the shank axis
Implementation Method 2
the gear configured to provide torque to drive a radial rotation of the shank and the screwdriver head about the shank axis, for tightening or loosening the screw
Implementation Method 3
with a ratchet adapter for additional torque
Data Source
AI summary
Dental screwdriver comprising a shank, a screwdriver head, a handle, and a rotatable gear. Shank is aligned longitudinally along a shank-axis. Screwdriver head is disposed at shank distal end along shank-axis and engages with a screw to be tightened or loosened at a jaw location inside mouth of patient. Handle is coupled to shank and has first handle portion aligned longitudinally along a handle-axis orthogonal to shank-axis. Handle is held by first hand of operator. Gear is radially rotatable about shank-axis and coupled to shank proximal end such that shank extends axially from gear central opening. Gear provides torque to drive radial rotation of shank and screwdriver head about shank-axis for tightening or loosening screw. Gear comprises disc or wheel element configured to be rotated using at least one finger of second hand of operator, such that gear, shank and screwdriver head, is rotatable as a single drive unit.