Titanium Alloy Twisted Wire Cleaning Device for Dental Implants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for cleaning and conditioning of biological and dental implant surfaces often damage tissues, leave toxic residues, or fail to thoroughly remove bacteria and contaminants, leading to re-infection and impaired osseointegration.

Innovation Solution

A kit comprising a cleaning device with twisted wire bristles made of titanium or titanium alloy for mechanical debridement and a composition of ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for chemical conditioning, which removes debris, bacteria, and toxins without damaging surfaces, preparing them for reosseointegration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional cleaning methods are used on implant surfaces, then cleaning action is achieved, but tissue damage occurs and toxic residues are left

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidtissue damage and toxic residues
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the cleaning tool from conventional hard materials to soft bristles made of titanium or titanium alloy, which are biocompatible and do not leave toxic residues. This parameter change allows effective cleaning while avoiding tissue damage and harmful residues, directly resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structure where soft bristles (titanium or titanium alloy) are attached to a handle, combining the cleaning function with biocompatibility. The EDTA composition is also used as a chemical adjunct to enhance cleaning while maintaining tissue compatibility, creating a composite cleaning system that avoids harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If mechanical cleaning tools are used to remove bacteria and contaminants, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but surface structure is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremoval of bacteria and contaminantsVSAvoidsurface structure integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the hardness parameter of the cleaning tool by using soft bristles made of titanium or titanium alloy instead of hard conventional materials. This parameter change enables thorough removal of bacteria and contaminants while preserving the surface structure integrity, as the soft bristles clean without creating scratches or damage to the implant surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent supplements mechanical cleaning with chemical conditioning using EDTA composition. This substitution/complement approach allows chemical removal of contaminants and conditioning of the surface, reducing the mechanical stress on the implant surface while achieving thorough cleaning, thus preserving surface structure integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If conventional cleaning agents are used, then bacteria and toxins are removed, but toxic residues are left on the surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremoval of bacteria and toxinsVSAvoidtoxic residues
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by using EDTA (ethylene diaminotetraacetic acid) as a biocompatible cleaning agent instead of conventional toxic cleaning agents. EDTA effectively removes bacteria and toxins through chelation while being biocompatible and not leaving toxic residues, directly resolving the contradiction between effective contamination removal and avoidance of harmful residues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the cleaning tool is made soft to avoid tissue damage, then tissue compatibility is improved, but cleaning effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue damageVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite material approach where soft bristles made of titanium or titanium alloy are attached to a handle, combining the softness needed for tissue compatibility with the structural support provided by the handle. This composite structure allows the bristles to be soft enough to avoid tissue damage while maintaining sufficient cleaning effectiveness through their titanium composition and arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 kit effectively removes contaminants and toxins, improves wound healing, and enhances implant attachment by maintaining the surface structure, reducing the risk of re-infection and promoting better osseointegration without causing tissue damage or leaving harmful residues.

Implementation Method 1

a cleaning device (1) comprising: an elongated base member (2) formed of at least two wires (3) being twisted with each other, and a plurality of bristles (4) fixed between said twisted wires (3) and extending away from said twisted wires (3), whereby said bristles (4) are positioned in a cleaning section (5) at a first end (6) of said base member (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a container comprising a composition comprising ethylene diaminotetraacetic acid (EDTA)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChelation:

Data Source

PatentEP2437680B1A medical cleaning kit
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 STRAUMANN HOLDING AG
  • EP2437680B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2437680B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2437680B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of cleaning and/or conditioning of biological and dental implant surfaces. More particularly, the invention relates to a kit comprising a) a cleaning device said cleaning device (1) comprising: an elongated base member (2) formed of at least two wires (3) being twisted with each other, and a plurality of bristles (4) fixed between said twisted wires (3) and extending away from said twisted wires (3), whereby said bristles (4) are positioned in a cleaning section (5) at a first end (6) of said base member (2) wherein said bristles (4) consist of titanium or a titanium alloy; and b) a container comprising a composition comprising ethylene diaminotetraacetic acid (EDTA). The kit may be used for the cleaning and/or debridement and/or conditioning of a biological or dental implant surface in order to e.g. improve implant attachment and facilitate wound healing.