Shape-Memory Dental Tool for Flexible Detection and Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental explorers lack versatility, cause patient discomfort, are prone to deformation, and pose risks such as puncturing the sinus membrane, while surgical guides are costly and limited to single patients.
Innovation Solution
A dental tool with a body featuring a measuring portion and a working element made of shape memory alloys or stainless steel, allowing for dual functions of detection and measurement, and incorporating a fixing mechanism for interchangeable working elements to enhance usability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional explorers use stainless steel needles for structural strength, then the needles maintain rigidity, but the patient experiences discomfort and the needles are prone to bending or deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the needle from conventional stainless steel to shape memory alloy, which fundamentally alters the mechanical properties. The shape memory alloy needle can undergo large elastic deformations (up to 8-10 times that of stainless steel) while maintaining structural integrity, and automatically returns to its original shape after deformation, eliminating bending issues and reducing patient discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs shape memory alloy, which is a type of composite material with unique properties combining elasticity and memory function. This material integrates both the strength needed for structural integrity and the flexibility required to reduce patient discomfort, while the ability to recover from deformation eliminates the need for needle replacement due to bending.
2Strength
If conventional explorers use rigid stainless steel needles, then the needles maintain structural integrity, but they risk puncturing the sinus membrane when inserted into the posterior area of the upper jaw
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid stainless steel to shape memory alloy, which provides exceptional elasticity. The shape memory alloy needle can bend elastically when encountering resistance from the sinus membrane and then automatically return to its original straight shape, preventing permanent puncture while maintaining structural integrity throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shape memory alloy needle inherently provides a cushioning effect through its elastic properties. When the needle approaches the sinus membrane, the material's elasticity allows it to deform rather than rigidly penetrate, and the subsequent recovery to original shape prevents actual puncture, thus cushioning against the harmful effect before it occurs.
3Measurement precision
If conventional surgical guides are manufactured for each patient, then accurate measurement and positioning are achieved, but the production cost is high and they cannot be applied to other patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates a measurement scale directly into the body of the explorer tool, making the tool itself capable of serving as a surgical guide. The scale allows for direct measurement of dental structures and positioning of implants without requiring separate patient-specific surgical guides, thus achieving universality across multiple patients while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the explorer (detection) and the surgical guide (measurement and positioning) into a single integrated tool. The measurement scale is incorporated into the explorer body, allowing dentists to perform both detection and measurement/positioning functions with one tool, eliminating the need for separate surgical guides for each patient.
4Device complexity
If conventional explorers have a single detection function, then the tool design is simple, but the tool lacks versatility and requires multiple separate instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the explorer tool universal by integrating multiple functions: detection (original function), measurement (via incorporated scale), and surgical guidance (via measurement capabilities). This single tool can replace multiple separate instruments including explorers, measurement tools, and surgical guides, achieving versatility without significantly increasing design complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the detection function and measurement function into a single integrated explorer tool. The measurement scale is incorporated into the body of the explorer, allowing both detection and measurement to be performed with one instrument rather than requiring separate tools, thus merging functions while maintaining relative design simplicity.
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 tool provides accurate detection and measurement capabilities, reduces patient discomfort, prevents deformation, and eliminates the need for costly surgical guides, enhancing surgical precision and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The working element (20) is connected to the body (10) and has a connecting end (21) and a working end (22). The working element (20) is made of shape memory alloys or stainless steel
Implementation Method 2
The needles cause discomfort to the patient when probing teeth, and when the conventional explorer falls to the ground or collides with other objects, the needles will be bent or deformed
Data Source
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AI summary
A dental tool has a body (10, 10B, 10D, 10E, 10G, 10I, 10K, 10L, 10M, 10N, 10O, 10P, 10Q, 10R, 10S) and a working element (20, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G, 20G', 20H, 20H', 20H", 201, 20J, 20K, 20L, 20Q, 20R, 20S). The body (10, 10B, 10D, 10E, 10G, 101, 10K, 10L, 10M, 10N, 10O, 10P, 10Q, 10R, 10S) has a connecting portion (11, 11D, 11F, 11H, 11Q, 11R, 11S) and a measuring portion (12, 12C). The measuring portion (12, 12C) is formed on the body (10, 10B, 10D, 10E, 10G, 101, 10K, 10L, 10M, 10N, 10O, 10P, 10Q, 10R, 10S). The working element (20, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G, 20G', 20H, 20H', 20H", 201, 20J, 20K, 20L, 20Q, 20R, 20S) has a connecting end (21, 21D, 21E, 21F, 21G, 21G', 21H, 211, 21Q, 21R, 21S) and a working end (22, 221, 22J, 22S).