Year:2022
Cordless prophy
The first dental prophylaxis device with replaceable batteries for ultimate convenience
Click + Drag
Dimensions:
Summary
Kii.am is a hybrid engineering contractor involved in both designing and manufacturing complex devices (largely handheld) for the dental, dermatology and veterinary markets. Of these, the dental market dominates.
Timeframe:2 years
The core issue
A dental prophylaxis device (or 'prophy' for short) is used in dental hygiene procedures to remove the plaque and tartar around teeth. But current ways of powering it rely on air pressure (using an air line) or rechargeable batteries, which can deplete rapidly. Could a handpiece be devised using replaceable batteries and one that also has foot pedal operation?
Following the reputation
Our client company asked Kii.am to develop a new kind of premium cordless prophy handpiece. They knew about our reputation for developing handheld devices for the dental market and that's why they chose us. Our ability to provide both design and manufacturing skills was a key factor in the initiative.
Meeting the demands
It was a big undertaking. Our goal was to make the tip of the device rotate faster and more powerfully than other cordless prophylaxis units on the market. We also had to contend with size, weight and ergonomic considerations so that the device would be comfortable to use.
With the electronics, we faced a situation where a lot of electronics had to be fitted into an extremely limited space. The solution was to design a printed circuit board in four parts with flexible connections between them. This gave us the manoeuvrability that was needed.
Regarding power output, we conducted extensive research on a wide range of brushed and brushless DC motors to find the optimal balance of performance, durability and cost. Which one would fit into the small space and work best with replaceable batteries? This process showcased one of Kii.am's core strengths.
A special test jig for motors
To evaluate the different motors for torque and speed, we designed a purpose-made testing device, a 'jig'. This overcame the known difficulty of measuring the real output of small high-powered DC motors.
This instrument underwent several revisions until it delivered what we needed - reliable readings of how well a tested motor rotates a stationary motor. The output results from the various test motors indicated a clear choice to benefit Henry Schein.
Rigorous feedback
Throughout our design and production journey with the Prophy device, we built prototypes at every stage (Alpha/Beta/Production), then reached out to gain the feedback of potential users. Their inputs were vital towards fine-tuning the product, making the necessary adjustments and preparing for market success.
The systematic process from an ambitious idea to a fully-functional and effective dental device that incorporates replaceable batteries was an eye-opener on all sides. At Kii.am, we found that this unit has the power to match air pressure models and the sustainable power which lasts longer than rechargeable batteries - plus the convenience of rapid replacement!
The product manager at the client company commented: "The outcome has been far better than we originally hoped for. We're confident that our new product will find strong appeal among dentists everywhere."
Into the market
Prophy's development stage has now been completed and the device will be launched in the coming months. Kii.am has been engaged to undertake the initial production runs. The first target markets are the USA and Europe.
Other Showcases
Our long experience in various segments of the medical market means that we connect well with your background and goals. It gives us a running start.
