Why you should use DHU
Our device will protect hygienists and clinicians from dangerous ATDs in a time-and-cost effective way that is ergonomically friendly to users. According to the preliminary study done by Beckman Laser Institute, a threshold of 80% reduction of emitted aerosol was deemed sufficient to reduce the risk of ATDs greatly. Dentaero’s Housing Unit (DHU) aims to reduce 90% of aerosol particles by directly incorporating the high volume evacuation unit into the scaler body.
DHU is a double-cavity housing unit that stores core components of an ultrasonic scaler within its inner cavity and sucks up all emitted aerosol particles with its outer cavity. The emitted aerosols will be sucked in through the outer cavity while the inner cavity protects the core scaler components from external environments. The cylindrical body of the housing unit allows for easy rotation during usage, and the uneven opening at the scaler tip site accommodates for uneven aerosol spraying and maximizes suction of emitted aerosol particles directly from the scaler tip. The distal end of the housing unit is connected to a coradial dual-tubing system with a larger radius HVE tube surrounding the smaller radius water tube that supplies the scaler components.
DHU confidently meets all design criteria of an efficient and ergonomic-friendly aerosol-reduction device. We conducted a suction test using high-speed high-resolution videography to compare the aerosol reduction efficiency without and with HVE suction. We also conducted thermal testing of the teeth surface to map out the thermal profile of the teeth during the usage of the device. With both test results, We can confidently state that DHU finds a good balance between 90% aerosol reduction efficiency and ~2 °C thermal cooling of the teeth surface. Additionally, with the direct incorporation of the HVE tube onto the scaler body, it allows for easy gripping and maneuvering of the scaler body while taking up minimal workspace available for dental hygienists similar to other commercially available ultrasonic scalers. Finally, the housing unit can be easily replaced over the core scaler component with minimal difficulties.
