Self-Evacuating Dental Dam With Movable Aperture Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental dams are cumbersome to install, uncomfortable for patients, prone to collapse, and existing fluid evacuation manifolds are inefficient due to insufficient suction force or occlusion issues, particularly problematic for young and anxious patients.
Innovation Solution
A fluid evacuating dental dam with a U-shaped manifold featuring selectively openable apertures and cover members, such as removable tabs, plugs, or a fluid permeable sheath, to prevent occlusion and enhance fluid removal from beneath the dam, ensuring a dry field during dental procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rubber dam structures with U-shaped metal frames are used, then the dental dam can maintain a dry field, but the installation is time-consuming and the structure is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the manifold and dental dam into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate U-shaped metal frames and clamps. The manifold is directly attached to the dental dam, allowing simultaneous installation of both components as one piece, thereby reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining the dry field function.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated manifold-dam unit serves multiple functions: it provides fluid evacuation through the manifold, maintains the dry field barrier through the dental dam, and eliminates the need for separate framing structures. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of components and simplifies the installation process.
2Device complexity
If conventional dental dams without integrated evacuation are used, then the structure is simple, but fluid evacuation requires additional suction tubes and assistant intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold is integrated directly into the dental dam structure, combining the barrier function and fluid evacuation function into one unit. This eliminates the need for separate suction tubes and assistant intervention, as the manifold provides built-in evacuation capability that operates automatically during the procedure.
3Device complexity
If manifolds with fixed apertures are used, then the structure is simple, but apertures may become occluded by dental dam material or patient tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs movable cover members that can shift position in response to suction forces. During non-suction periods, the cover members remain in place to prevent occlusion. When suction is applied, the cover members are drawn into the apertures, allowing unobstructed fluid flow. This dynamic response ensures aperture patency during critical evacuation phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover members automatically respond to suction forces without external intervention. When suction is applied, the pressure differential causes the cover members to move and clear the apertures themselves, providing self-service occlusion prevention that maintains reliable fluid evacuation.
4Productivity
If suction force is increased to improve fluid evacuation, then fluid removal efficiency increases, but occlusion of apertures by dental dam or tissues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable cover members dynamically respond to suction force levels. At high suction forces, the cover members are drawn into the apertures, preventing occlusion by dental dam material or patient tissues. This allows the system to maintain high suction forces for efficient fluid evacuation without the risk of aperture blockage that would occur with fixed cover members.
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 provides a more stable, comfortable, and effective fluid evacuation system that maintains a dry field without requiring constant adjustment, reducing patient discomfort and improving procedural efficiency by localizing suction to the area of operation.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device in fluid communication with the manifold
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid evacuating dental dam (12) is disclosed, the fluid evacuating dental dam including a manifold (14) having at least one aperture (18) formed therein, a dental dam selectively attached to the manifold, a suction device (16) in fluid communication with the manifold, and selectively removable cover members (30) disposed over the aperture of the manifold.