Sonic-Vibration Root Canal Irrigation Assembly for Branched Canals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing root canal cleaning methods struggle to effectively clean the complex and branched root canal system due to its anatomical complexity, leading to incomplete removal of tissue residues and bacteria.

Innovation Solution

A suction element with an elastic suction tip and internal oscillator, designed to seal the root canal and generate negative pressure, combined with sonic vibrations to enhance cleaning by creating shock waves and fluid swirling, ensuring continuous suction and chemical effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical filing and chemical rinsing are used to clean root canals, then some cleaning effect is achieved, but the complex and branched root canal system cannot be fully cleaned due to anatomical complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidability to reach all root canal areas
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs ultrasonic vibrations transmitted through the flexible suction tip to create acoustic cavitation and shock waves in the irrigating solution. This mechanical vibration enhances the cleaning effect by disrupting biofilms and loosening debris in complex root canal areas that mechanical filing cannot reach, while the flexible material adapts to the root canal's anatomical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a vacuum device connected to the suction element to create negative pressure that continuously draws irrigating solution through the root canal system. This hydraulic flow delivers cleaning agents to all areas including lateral canals and isthmus, while the flexible suction tip conforms to the complex anatomy to maintain effective suction across the entire branched system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid suction tips are used, then structural stability is maintained, but they cannot adapt to the complex and branched root canal system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptation to root canal anatomy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a suction tip made of flexible material such as polyurethane or nickel-titanium alloy that can bend and conform to the complex and branched root canal system. This flexibility allows the tip to adapt to anatomical variations including lateral canals and isthmus, while the inherent structural properties of these materials maintain sufficient rigidity for effective suction and ultrasonic vibration transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If continuous suction is implemented, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but suction openings may become clogged with tissue residues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidsuction reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic vibrations transmitted through the flexible suction tip create acoustic cavitation that prevents tissue residues from adhering to and clogging the suction openings. The vibrational energy continuously disrupts debris accumulation, maintaining open suction channels while enabling continuous operation at high productivity without interruption from clogging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 optimizes the cleaning process by effectively reaching all areas of the root canal, including lateral canals and isthmus, enhances chemical effectiveness, and prevents clogging, ensuring reliable and continuous suction.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum device, a suction element with an elongated suction tip... so that rinsing fluid containing tissue residues and/or bacteria can be sucked into the suction channel by means of a vacuum generated by the vacuum device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

the suction element has an internal oscillator which is held in the suction tip... the cleaning process can be optimized and, in particular, carried out continuously... creates shock waves and fluid swirling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 3

the suction tip and the internal oscillator are connected to one another at their rear end... when the suction tip is inserted into a tooth root canal, it seals the canal in the region of the tooth root canal wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic sealing: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4167896B1Irrigation assembly for cleaning tooth root canals
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 KOHRER DENNIS MANUEL
  • EP4167896B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4167896B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4167896B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a root canal irrigation assembly, comprising a vacuum device (2), a suction element (5) having an elongate suction tip (6), and a sonic device having a sonic handpiece (15) for introducing sonic vibrations into the suction element (5) and thus causing the suction tip (6) to vibrate, wherein the rear end of the suction element (5) is connected to the vacuum device (2) such that an irrigation fluid containing tissue residues and/or bacteria can be suctioned out of a root canal. The suction element (5) comprises an internal vibrator (6a) which is held in the suction tip (6) and projects out of the front end thereof, wherein the suction tip (6) and the internal vibrator (6a) are interconnected at their rear ends, and/or the suction tip (6) is resiliently formed and dimensioned such that, when the suction tip (6) is introduced into a root canal, the suction tip sealingly closes the root canal in the region of the root canal wall.