WO2008016342A1

WO2008016342A1 - Full mouth ultrasonic toothbrush implement

Info

Publication number: WO2008016342A1
Application number: PCT/US2006/029332
Authority: WO
Inventors: Todd Andrew Eppel; Todd Eppel
Original assignee: Todd Andrew Eppel; Todd Eppel
Priority date: 2006-07-29
Filing date: 2006-07-29
Publication date: 2008-02-07

Abstract

An ultrasonic toothbrush characterized by enhanced tooth brushing efficiency and convenience is disclosed. The ultrasonic toothbrush implement includes at least one continuous metallic rod extending and transferring vibratory energy from source to characteristic elongated, curved portion of the brush head bristles. At least 3 planes of bristles extending to all surfaces of teeth in at least one arch. The full mouth ultrasonic toothbrush implement cleanses all surfaces of both arches simultaneously in a fraction of the time as the traditional toothbrush head. The full mouth ultrasonic implement initiates proper “Bass” technique in order to enhance efficacy of the brushing procedure. This enables caregivers to special needs patients, elderly and disabled individuals with limited hand mobility, as well as the majority of the population interested in saving time, the ability to brush correctly and quickly, promoting a healthy dentition in an otherwise hopeless situation.

Description

Full Mouth Ultrasonic Toothbrush Implement

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to personal dental hygiene ultrasonic instruments. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ultrasonic toothbrush having an improved brush head integrated into the removable implement of the tooth brush for brushing one or both arches simultaneously.

Background of the Invention

The ultrasonic toothbrush for use in personal dental hygiene is used commonly by many, two to three times a day, to promote and maintain a healthy dentition. The instrument is made effective by coupling the toothbrush to the power means and is arranged to transfer the ultrasonic energy from the power means to the ultrasonic implement with the power means remaining substantially free from absorbing ultrasonic energy as the vibratory energy is transmitted there through.

Conventional ultrasonic toothbrushes typically have one short (~1 inch) brush head capable of cleansing one surface plane of the dentition at a time through multiple, intricate and angular strokes. While this tooth brushing method is seemingly practical for most, individuals with conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, as well as those with mental and physical handicaps occurring more steadily in the rapidly increasing elderly population, find great difficulty in this daily procedure. This problem inevitably leads many of these individuals to an early deteriorating dentition as well as the undesirable accompanying dental related side effects. It should also be noted that the conventional, single plane, short (~1 inch), tooth brush head as well as the 3 plane, short (~1 inch), tooth brush head are commonly used improperly causing what those skilled in the art of dentistiy call "tooth brush abrasion", cervical caries" and periodontal "'attachment loss". Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention forces the user Io perform with the correct and proper technique, according to the "Bass" method. This significantly decreases the chances for pathology and tooth destruction.

Summary of the Invention

The invention is directed to an ultrasonic toothbrush implement that is characterized by cleansing all tooth surfaces of one or both arches simultaneously with one simple vertical stroke at most. Use of the full mouth ultrasonic tooth brush head in patients with limited hand dexterity or mental acuity, to perform daily maintenance, greatly enhances efficacy of the procedure and ease of application, thus providing a dentition free from pathology and disease.

In one general aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonic toothbrush is provided, which reduces the number of brush angles involved, brush strokes used, and overall time spent in the oral cavity during the tooth brushing procedure. The ultrasonic full mouth toothbrush typically comprises: a sealed exchangeable ultrasonic implement (such as a tooth brush head); an ultrasonic power means for supplying vibratory energy in the ultrasonic range; an arrangement for rigidity and removably mounting the exchangeable ultrasonic implement with the ultrasonic power means; at least one removable arch comprised of at least one continuous strip of bristles positioned vertical (to engage the occlusal tooth surfaces); two sides of 45 degree convergent continuous strips of bristles (to engage both lingual/palatal and buccal/facial tooth surfaces simultaneously); at least one enclosed U-shaped metallic rod infrastructure with minor metallic appendages, continuing and transferring vibratory energy from power source to all bristles in the three plane, U-shaped, outer tooth brush bristles.

In another aspect of the invention, the brush implement contains two separate arches, one for mandibular and one for maxillary.

In another aspect of the invention, the brush implement contains both mandibular and maxillary arches attached together as one full mouth implement.

In another aspect of the invention, the brush implement contains hemi-sections of both maxillary and mandibular arches attached together as one half mouth implement.

In another aspect of the invention, the three rows of bristles are segmented.

In another aspect of the invention, all distal portions of the brush have a group of bristles angled at 45 degrees toward the distal portions of posterior teeth.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which: FIG. 1 is a top view of a single foil arch ultrasonic toothbrush in accordance with the present invention, illustrating the 45 degree angle of the side bristles and vertical positioning of the center bristles along with the plastic house covering;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the metallic infrastructure. rod encased in FIG. 1 along with illustrations of minor metallic appendages and typical portions of the implement's detachable base.

FIG. 3 is a diagonal top view of the dual-full arch brush implement, illustrating the continuality and plurality of the bristles.

FIG.4 is a top view of the metallic infrastructure rod encased in FIG. 3 with corresponding metallic appendages for both mandibular and maxillary arches.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Shown throughout the figures, the invention is directed to an ultrasonic toothbrush, which has a common and typical construction known by those skilled in the art of ultrasonics. The instrument is characterized by improving tooth brushing efficacy, reducing overall brushing time and facilitating convenience form to caregivers of special needs patients. Use of the full mouth ultrasonic tooth brush on a regular basis eliminates pathology and disease due to improper technique, which promotes health and lengthens overall life of the dentition, while saving time spent on the daily maintenance of tooth brushing. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art of ultrasonic toothbrushes, the unique configuration and design of the present invention could enable the use of a multitude of varying designs in order to transfer vibratory energy to the U-shaped Brush head bristles. However, for the sake of brevity, the following description and accompanying drawings/figures describe and illustrate an exemplary application with the main focus on the unique U-shaped brush head implement.

In one general aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonic toothbrush is provided, which reduces the number of manual brush angles involved, brush strokes taken and overall time spent in the oral cavity. The ultrasonic full mouth toothbrush typically comprises: a sealed exchangeable ultrasonic implement (such as a tooth brush head); an ultrasonic power means for supplying vibratory energy in the ultrasonic range and an arrangement for rigidity and removably mounting the exchangeable ultrasonic implement with the ultrasonic power means; a removable arch comprised of one continuous strip of bristle tufts in the center, positioned vertical (to engage the occlusal tooth surfaces), and two sides of 45 degree convergent continuous strips of bristle tufts (to engage the lingual/palatal and buccal/facial tooth surfaces simultaneously); an enclosed U-shaped metallic rod infrastructure with multiple minor appendages (to encourage transmission of vibratory forces to all areas of the implement's bristles).

Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an exemplary embodiment of the ultrasonic tooth brushing instrument of the present invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1. Looking at FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasonic tooth brushing instrument 1 incorporates a generally conventional structure, including an elongated plastic handle 2, a plastic housing 3 containing within the U-shaped infrastructure 14 continuing from the ultrasonic transducer 10 that transfers vibratory energy to the vertical/occlusal directed bristles 4, along with at least six minor extension 13,16 that transfer vibratory energy to the 45 degree convergent bristles 5, 6 connected to the outer sides of the vertical bristles 4, as well as distal bristles, not shown.

Referring next to FIG. 2 of the drawings, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the inner workings of an ultrasonic implement device, which is more easily understood to those skilled in the art of ultrasonics. Where the bar magnet 7 attaches to the transducer motor coil 8 connecting to an impedance transfer device 11, continuing on through a rubber gasket 12 to form the unique and characteristic U-shaped design of the present implement invention 14. Also apparent are the shorter extensions 13, 16 of the ultrasonic transducer 10 that transfer vibratory energy to the outer bristles 5, 6. The toothbrush implement is attached to the handle 2 and power means by use of a simple connector such as attachment threading 9.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a full mouth ultrasonic brush head implement in which two single arches are connected to provide ultrasonic tooth brushing vibrations for all planes and surfaces of both mandibular 14 and maxillary 15 arches. FIG.4 displays the shorter extensions 13,16 of the ultrasonic transducer 10 extending from the 2 main U-shaped infrastructures 14,15 continuing from the ultrasonic transducer 10 in 45 degree angles divergent to both mandibular and maxillary planes to allow the attached side bristles 5, 6 to protrude at 45 degrees convergent to the teeth and gingiva. FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate a distal minor extension 16, forty five degrees divergent to the distal occlusal plane of both maxillary and mandibular arches, so that the attached

Claims

bristles (not shown) of said appendage, may converge at 45 degrees to the distal surface of posterior teeth and gingiva.It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of dentistry that, the 45 degree convergent angle of the bristles 5,6,16 allow the bristles 5,6,16 to massage and cleanse the gingival and sulcus in the most efficient manner according to the "Bass" technique. Whereas the distal 45 degree convergent bristles 16 reach and cleanse one of the most common problematic areas in the dentition with respect to pathology and difficulty of accessibility.While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. What is claimed is:

1. An ultrasonic toothbrush implement comprising:

A handle;

A mechanism allowing transfer of vibratory energy to at least one full U- shaped or Half U-shaped metallic rod;

A brush head housing containing at least three planes of bristle groups attached to the metallic rod able to relate transferred vibratory energy through mentioned bristles provided thereon.

2. An ultrasonic toothbrush implement as recited in claim 1, wherein said implement and handle are at least one single unit.

3. An ultrasonic toothbrush implement as recited in claim 2, wherein said implement and handle are a plurality of units.

4. An ultrasonic toothbrush implement as recited in claims 1, 2, and 3, wherein said implement is a full dual arch brush head of at least 3 planes in each arch.

5. An ultrasonic toothbrush implement as recited in claims 1, 2, and 3, wherein said implement is a full single arch brush head of at least three planes.

6. An ultrasonic toothbrush implement as recited in claims 1, 2, and 3, wherein said implement is a half dual arch brush head of at least 3 planes in each arch.