Ultrasonic Tip with Polished Internal Surface for Selective Bone Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional crown lengthening methods are invasive, complex, and result in unpredictable aesthetic outcomes, with high risks of tooth damage, postoperative discomfort, and prolonged convalescence due to the need for gingival flap elevation and inaccurate bone depth control.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasonic tip with a serrated, diamond, or rough external surface and a polished internal surface, designed for minimally invasive crown lengthening, which allows precise bone removal without gingival flap elevation, using a piezoelectric surgical device to generate ultrasound vibrations for selective bone tissue removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional rotating drills or piezoelectric tips are used for bone removal, then bone tissue can be removed, but teeth structures are damaged because the instruments act indistinctively on both bone and teeth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselectivity of bone removalVSAvoidtooth damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic tip is designed with differentiated surface properties: the external surface has active serrated, diamond, or rough features for effective bone cutting, while the internal surface is polished and flat to be inert toward tooth structures. This local quality differentiation allows selective action on bone tissue while protecting teeth from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The tip utilizes ultrasonic vibrations generated by a piezoelectric handpiece to remove bone tissue. The mechanical vibration enables precise bone removal through cavitation and micro-fracturing mechanisms that are selective to bone tissue, avoiding damage to tooth structures while maintaining effective bone remodeling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Manufacturing precision

If gingival flap elevation is performed to control bone depth, then precise bone removal can be achieved, but postoperative discomfort and complications increase due to extensive flap manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone depth controlVSAvoidpostoperative complications

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic tip incorporates integrated depth markers and visual indicators that allow the operator to control bone removal depth without requiring gingival flap elevation. The tip serves its own measurement function through built-in reference marks visible during the procedure, eliminating the need for flap manipulation while maintaining precise depth control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The procedure uses minimal or no gingival flap elevation (partial action) rather than complete flap detachment, achieving sufficient bone depth control for crown lengthening while significantly reducing postoperative complications such as papilla loss, swelling, and prolonged convalescence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If conventional instruments are used for blind flapless technique, then gingival tissue remains attached, but precise bone removal is impossible due to lack of depth control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimally invasive procedureVSAvoidbone removal precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic tip is pre-marked with depth indicators and reference features before the procedure begins. These preliminary markings allow the operator to control bone removal depth accurately without needing to elevate the gingival flap for visualization, enabling precise bone removal through the intact gum tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables minimally invasive crown lengthening with reduced risk of tooth injury, eliminates the need for sutures and postoperative convalescence, and improves precision and safety by allowing 'blind' bone removal without detaching the gingival tissue, resulting in faster patient recovery and improved aesthetic outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

a proximal end, which is adapted for mechanical coupling to a surgical handpiece that generates ultrasound vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

an electric piezosurgery unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

an active external surface that is serrated, diamond shaped and/or a rough surface or edge, which extends outward to a cutting edge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS9248004B2Ultrasonic tip for minimally invasive crown lengthening

Publication Date: 2016.02.02 ARAYA JORGE ANTONIO JOFRE

AI summary

An ultrasonic tip for minimally invasive crown lengthening, the tip includes a distal end having an external side having a serrated and/or a diamond and/or a rough surface or edge, which extends outward to a cutting edge, and an internal side having a polished area ending in a soft angle with the cutting edge; and a proximal end, which is adapted for mechanical coupling to a surgical handpiece that generates ultrasonic vibrations.