Universal Oral Care Tool With Rotatable Brush Head for Variable Oral Anatomy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oral care tools used in clinical settings are often impractical due to static brush designs that require specific orientation and are unwieldy when dealing with varying oral anatomy and medical devices, such as ventilators, necessitating time-consuming assembly and disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A universal oral care tool with a first lumen for suction and a second lumen for fluid delivery, featuring a brush head with bristles and foam sections, allowing adaptation to diverse oral cavities and integrated fluid reservoir connection for efficient cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a static brush design is used, then the oral care tool can clean oral anatomy, but it requires specific orientation and is impractical for varying oral cavities and medical devices
Solution Approach 1:
The brush head is made rotatable relative to the longitudinal axis of the device, transforming the static brush design into a dynamic one. This allows the brush head to be rotated to different orientations (e.g., 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees) to adapt to varying oral anatomy and medical device configurations, while maintaining ease of operation through simple rotational movement
2Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable components are used, then the oral care tool can be adapted to different oral cavities, but assembly and disassembly are time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a universal brush head design that can be rotated to multiple orientations and positions along the longitudinal axis, eliminating the need for multiple interchangeable components. This single universal brush head performs multiple functions by adapting to different oral cavity configurations, thereby reducing assembly and disassembly time while maintaining adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal design is used, then the oral care tool can adapt to broad range of oral cavities, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal adaptability is achieved through dynamic rotation of the brush head rather than through complex interchangeable component systems. The brush head can rotate to different orientations and positions, providing universal adaptability while keeping the overall design relatively simple compared to systems requiring multiple separate components
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 flexible and efficient cleaning of oral cavities with medical devices, reducing time and effort by adapting to varying anatomies and providing simultaneous suction and fluid delivery without complex assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The first lumen is adapted to suction fluid via an aperture disposed within the brush head
Implementation Method 2
the second lumen is adapted to provide fluid from a fluid reservoir and deliver the fluid to the brush head
Implementation Method 3
the brush head comprises a bristles section and a foam section
Data Source
AI summary
An oral care device includes a brush head stem and a brush head. The brush head stem includes a distal end and an internal fluid channel extending to the distal end. The brush head is coupled to the distal end. The brush head includes a first side, a second side, a plurality of first bristles, and a first foam section. The second side is opposite the first side. The first bristles extend from the first side. The first foam section includes a first foam aperture. The first foam section is coupled to the brush head such that the plurality of first bristles extend through the first foam aperture.