Patent US11589969 is at the center of the litigation Solmetex, LLC v. Ascentcare Dental Products, Inc., alongside several other patents in dispute. This patent focuses on an advanced dental waste management system, specifically designed to streamline the separation, collection, and disposal of amalgam waste in dental practices.
Regulatory compliance and environmental concerns have made dental waste disposal a high-stakes issue. Traditional methods often struggle with efficiency and sustainability, leading to compliance risks. This patent aims to solve these challenges with an improved system that ensures better performance, regulatory adherence, and eco-friendly disposal.
To assess its novelty, we used the Global Patent Search tool to identify potential prior art references. Before diving into these references, let’s break down the key features of US11589969 and understand its relevance in this case.
Understanding Patent US11589969B2
Patent US11589969B2 introduces a hands-free intraoral suction and isolation mouthpiece, designed to enhance efficiency during dental procedures. By integrating a high-suction adapter, this innovation improves waste management, enhances patient comfort, and reduces the need for additional tools during treatments.
Its key features include:
- Integrated suction & isolation: A built-in high-suction system continuously removes fluids, debris, and saliva, eliminating the need for manual suctioning.
- One-piece injection-molded design: The mouthpiece is made of flexible, heat-resistant, autoclavable silicone, ensuring reusability and durability.
- Mesh & perforation system: A perforated structure (including a mesh wall and anterior/posterior perforations) maximizes suction efficiency.
- Cheek retractor & Stabilizing bridge: A cheek retractor portion and wave-like internal bridge provide support and separation, preventing material collapse during suction.
Source: US11589969B2
By streamlining dental suction and isolation into a single device, this patent aims to improve procedural efficiency and infection control while enhancing the overall patient experience. Now, let’s evaluate potential prior art that may challenge the novelty of this invention.
Potential Prior Art References for US11589969
#1. CN105578986B
This reference describes an intraoral dental mouthpiece with a suction system designed for hands-free operation, aiding dental staff by improving efficiency and patient comfort. The system consists of a main body, a cheek retractor, and a suction connector, similar to the features outlined in US11589969.
Why This Qualifies as Potential Prior Art?
- Main body configuration: Fully describes a pocket-like structure with perforations for suction.
- Tapered design: Confirms a narrower first end and a wider second end.
- Bridge structure: Mentions a wavelike protrusion that maintains separation between surfaces.
Feature Mapping Results
- Pocket-shaped main body with perforations for suction – Fully disclosed
- Narrow first end, wider second end – Fully disclosed
- Front wall with an opening communicating with the interior – Partially disclosed
- Rear wall corresponding in shape to front wall – Fully disclosed
- Side wall connecting front and rear walls – Fully disclosed
- Internal bridge structure with wave-like protrusions for support – Fully disclosed
- Bridge structure not attached to front wall – Fully disclosed
- Wave-like bridge structure with crests and troughs – Fully disclosed
- Main body’s span is less than its width – Partially disclosed
Key Excerpt from the Reference:
“The main body part may include a closed cavity formed by a front wall, a rear wall, and a side wall. The side wall may be penetrated with a plurality of perforations, allowing air, fluid, and small debris to be drawn into the suction connector.”
#2. KR100915626B1
This patent describes a silicone-based mouthpiece designed for endoscopic procedures. The key innovation involves reinforcing the support portion with a stainless steel tube, ensuring durability and patient comfort. The device is autoclavable and reusable, making it suitable for medical applications.
Why This Qualifies as Potential Prior Art?
- The reference discloses a flexible, heat-resistant, reusable mouthpiece, similar to the one described in US11589969B2.
- The stainless steel reinforcement structure is designed to prevent collapse under bite pressure, aligning with the stabilizing features of the disputed patent.
- The silicone material and molding process provide durability, matching key aspects of the patented intraoral device.
Feature Mapping Results
- Pocket-shaped main body with perforations for suction – Not disclosed
- Narrow first end, wider second end – Not disclosed
- Front wall with an opening communicating with the interior – Not disclosed
- Rear wall corresponding in shape to front wall – Not disclosed
- Side wall connecting front and rear walls – Not disclosed
- Internal bridge structure with wave-like protrusions for support – Not disclosed
- Bridge structure not attached to front wall – Not disclosed
- Wave-like bridge structure with crests and troughs – Not disclosed
- Main body’s span is less than its width – Not disclosed
- Transition portion at first end connecting to cheek retractor – Not disclosed
- Perforations at transition portion – Not disclosed
Key Excerpt from the Reference:
“The mouthpiece is made of a material having excellent heat resistance and chemical resistance, allowing for reuse after sterilization. A stainless steel tube is incorporated into the support portion to reinforce structure and prevent collapse due to bite force.”
#3. JP2010075644A
This patent describes a thermoplastic dental mouthpiece designed to be softened in hot water and then molded to fit the patient’s maxillary dentition. The device retains a hollow horseshoe shape, ensuring a comfortable fit while preventing deformation during the softening process.
Why This Qualifies as Potential Prior Art?
- The reference describes a hollow mouthpiece with thermoplastic properties, similar to US11589969B2.
- The perforations and material selection ensure adaptability and durability, aligning with features of the disputed patent.
- The horseshoe shape covering the maxillary dentition suggests some overlap with intraoral dental devices.
Feature Mapping Results
- Pocket-shaped main body with perforations for suction – Partially disclosed
- Narrow first end, wider second end – Not disclosed
- Front wall with an opening communicating with the interior – Not disclosed
- Rear wall corresponding in shape to front wall – Partially disclosed
- Side wall connecting front and rear walls – Not disclosed
- Internal bridge structure with wave-like protrusions for support – Not disclosed
- Bridge structure not attached to front wall – Not disclosed
- Wave-like bridge structure with crests and troughs – Not disclosed
- Main body’s span is less than its width – Not disclosed
- Transition portion at first end connecting to cheek retractor – Not disclosed
- Perforations at transition portion – Not disclosed
Key Excerpt from the Reference:
“The mouthpiece body has a hollow horseshoe shape designed to cover the maxillary dentition. It is made of a thermoplastic elastic resin that allows molding upon heating and prevents deformation during the softening process.”
#4. DE202012002302U1
This patent describes a hollow, dome-shaped dental mouthpiece with a flexible base and a connected flange. The mouthpiece is designed for comfort and adaptability, featuring reinforced elements for stability and a soft, pliable material to conform to the oral structure.
Why This Qualifies as Potential Prior Art?
- The main body has a hollow structure, somewhat resembling a pocket design.
- It features reinforcement elements in the mouthpiece, which may relate to structural support concepts.
- The tapered end and widened base align partially with US11589969B2.
Feature Mapping Results
- Pocket-shaped main body with perforations for suction – Partially disclosed
- Narrow first end, wider second end – Partially disclosed
- Front wall with an opening communicating with the interior – Not disclosed
- Rear wall corresponding in shape to front wall – Not disclosed
- Side wall connecting front and rear walls – Not disclosed
- Internal bridge structure with wave-like protrusions for support – Not disclosed
- Bridge structure not attached to front wall – Not disclosed
- Wave-like bridge structure with crests and troughs – Not disclosed
- Main body’s span is less than its width – Partially disclosed
- Transition portion at first end connecting to cheek retractor – Not disclosed
- Perforations at transition portion – Not disclosed
Key Excerpt from the Reference
“The sucker has a base in the form of a hollow dome, tapering into a mouthpiece, with reinforcement elements for structural integrity.”
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | US11589969B2 (Main Document) | CN105578986B (Reference 1) | KR100915626B1 (Reference 2) | JP2010075644A (Reference 3) | DE202012002302U1 (Reference 4) |
| Pocket-shaped main body with perforations for suction | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Partially Disclosed (hollow structure, no suction perforations) | Partially Disclosed (hollow dome, no suction perforations) |
| Narrow first end, wider second end | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Partially Disclosed (tapered end, but no clear pocket format) |
| Internal bridge structure with wave-like protrusions for support | Fully Disclosed | Fully Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| Main body’s span is less than its width | Fully Disclosed | Partially Disclosed (wave crest spans almost the full distance, but unclear width ratio) | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Partially Disclosed (mentions oval cross-section, no clear width/span confirmation) |
How to Find Prior Art Using Global Patent Search
Finding prior art efficiently is critical in evaluating the novelty of a patent and identifying potential challenges in litigation. The Global Patent Search tool simplifies this process with precise filtering and feature mapping capabilities.
#1. Search by Patent Number or Keywords – Instantly retrieve relevant patents and published applications worldwide.
#2. Feature Mapping for Direct Comparisons – Compare key elements of an invention against existing disclosures to identify overlaps and gaps.
#3. Detailed Reports for Legal Analysis – Generate structured reports highlighting prior art relevance with clear, factual insights.
#4. Make Data-Driven Decisions – Strengthen your case with precise prior art analysis, reducing uncertainty in patent disputes.
With Global Patent Search, you can quickly determine whether an invention meets the standards of patentability or if prior disclosures undermine its novelty.
Take the Guesswork Out of Prior Art Research
Patent disputes demand solid evidence. With Global Patent Search, you get:
- Instant, accurate results – No more manual searching through endless documents.
- Clear feature mapping – See exactly how a reference compares to the patent in question.
- Smarter legal strategies – Strengthen your case with reliable, data-driven insights.
Ready to simplify your patent research? Start your search today with Global Patent Search.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The prior art references mentioned are surface-level results generated by our tool and do not guarantee legal significance. For a more thorough patent search, we recommend exploring Global Patent Search.
