ProDrive Systems
Performance Replacement Turbine-Bur System
“We partnered with Design 1st because they were able to provide a solution to overcome the complexity of factors impacting our unique chuck and bur system design. Their considerable design expertise and manufacturing knowledge was critical in problem-solving and expediting us to working prototypes. We also relied on them to create a test system so we could collect the data to prove our superior performance. Design 1st’s work behind the scenes helped us to be the leading dental technology company revolutionizing our industry.”
Richard St-Pierre
President and CEO
Project
The air driven dental handpiece, better known to patients as “the drill”, is the mission critical instrument for over 150,000 dentists across North America. ProDrive Systems wanted to revolutionize the dental industry by improving the handpiece to provide better performance and an improved experience for dentists and patients. Derek Turner, a leading dental practitioner, wanted to design a unique dental drill bit (bur) about the size of a standard stick pin that would provide better cutting speed, more control and could be used in the many existing dental handpieces of differing styles and manufacturers.
Summary
Dental handpieces have been based on a drill design dating back to the 1800’s, relying on a friction grip design, a mechanical pencil like chuck gripping a round cutting bur shank . Within the turbine assembly of the drill, the chuck which locks around the bur is comprised of three parts that spin at very high rpm in a very small and limited space in the head of the handpiece that goes in the mouth.
In late 2005, ProDrive approached Design 1st to assist in developing the chuck design for their unique triangular bur. The triangular design would be the world’s first bur shank to provide faster, more accurate cutting, superior control and improved precision with reduced vibration and less “chatter” during patient visits.
Solution
Starting with prototypes of the bur, Design 1st began an extensive review of the industry-leading chuck designs, breaking down and testing existing product. The new ProDrive bur design had triangular flats and a groove. From this the team developed a novel and patentable chucking solution to accommodate this new and innovative bur. The Design 1st team also identified an innovative feature to the industry, extending and locking the bur for variable length cutting by using a second groove. The design challenge was substantial given the key internal components of a dental handpiece can be balanced on a finger nail. A dynamically balanced assembly required extremely repeatable manufactured components. Design 1st identified and worked closely with a manufacturer that had the precision capability. Today 1000’s of units per month are produced as ProDrive ramps up to meet growing market demand.
In addition to creating the new ProDrive System, Design 1st developed original test equipment to compare the ProDrive upgraded handpieces versus factory original handpieces. ProDrive conducted field tests across North America, asking dentists to upgrade their existing handpieces with the ProDrive System for a comparison against their standard factory original handpieces. The consensus among dentists was a marked overall improvement of the handpiece performance.
Benefits
Design 1st was able to transform ProDrive's innovative approach into a solid design and manufacturable award winning product that brings new value to the dental industry. With five years of R&D in partnership with Design 1st and the world’s leading handpiece companies, ProDrive has revolutionized the dental handpiece. First in the dental industry to create an upgrade system designed to fit into existing handpieces, the ProDrive System allows dentists to use their preferred handpiece but with improved performance and durability. ProDrive products are being launched internationally and the Company aims to be the industry standard within the next five years.
Company Profile
ProDrive Systems Inc. is a dental technology firm that is poised to revolutionize dentistry technology and practice with a patented ProDrive Triangular Bur and Turbine System that improves the performance of dental handpieces and enhances practice efficiency. ProDrive products are being launched through members of the American Dental Cooperative, a nationwide distribution network, throughout 2009.