EP1558108A1 - Interdental brush - Google Patents
Interdental brushInfo
- Publication number
- EP1558108A1 EP1558108A1 EP03809799A EP03809799A EP1558108A1 EP 1558108 A1 EP1558108 A1 EP 1558108A1 EP 03809799 A EP03809799 A EP 03809799A EP 03809799 A EP03809799 A EP 03809799A EP 1558108 A1 EP1558108 A1 EP 1558108A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- brush
- interdental
- stem
- interdental brush
- brushes
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
- A46B9/02—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
- A46B9/026—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups where the surface of the brush body or carrier is not in one plane, e.g. not flat
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B3/00—Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier
- A46B3/18—Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier the bristles being fixed on or between belts or wires
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
- A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
- A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures
- A46B2200/108—Inter-dental toothbrush, i.e. for cleaning interdental spaces specifically
Definitions
- the present invention relates to interdental brushes.
- Gum disease is caused by the build up of plaque and/or tartar at the gum margin; this leads to infection causing the gums to become swollen and red due to inflammation.
- the gum recedes leading to poor tooth support, thereby tooth mobility with gaps developing between the teeth.
- the receding gum line makes the teeth appear longer due to the soft dentin, normally below the gum line, being exposed.
- Treatment is by antibiotics, and by mechanically scaling the tooth surface above and below the gum line in order to remove plaque and tartar.
- advanced stages of the disease treatment is also by surgery which involves cutting and lifting a flap in the gum to enable removal of resultant bacterial infection from around the root tissue.
- the free end 8 of the stem 2 is held by the user and the brush part 6 is inserted between the teeth with a gentle back and forth motion to remove plaque and food particles from the gaps.
- the brush part 6 is inserted between the teeth with a gentle back and forth motion to remove plaque and food particles from the gaps.
- it is necessary to brush straight into the gap, because if the user enters at an angle the fine wire stem
- the dental practitioner usually selects the size of brush required for a particular patient by measuring the size of gap between the teeth, and selects a brush of approximately the same overall width, i.e. diameter of brush head.
- Known interdental brushes thereby normally have a maximum brush head diameter of around 2mm.
- Inflamed gums usually bleed when brushed.
- Known interdental brushes are provided with white bristles, which are particularly effective at showing such blood. It is believed that this encourages brushing, since the user has a clear indication that the brushing is having an effect. However, it has been found that such bleeding normally stops after about five days of brushing, and this may then provide an incorrect indication to the use that such brushing is no longer required. Brushing needs to be continued until the gum has returned to full health and the gaps closed by the return of the gum to its normal position, otherwise food debris and hence plaque and tartar can build up between the teeth leading to further deterioration of the gums, tooth decay and possible tooth loss.
- an elongate interdental brush comprising a handle portion and a substantially cylindrical brush portion, the brush portion having a preformed longitudinal bend.
- the tip of the brush is not in line with the handle portion and thereby curves away from such. It is thereby possible to insert the brush into a gap between the teeth such that the tip of the brush moves in a direction away from the gum as it enters the gap, such that the tip rises over the rear of the gum and therefore does not impinge on the higher rear portion of the gum, thereby avoiding gum trauma.
- the interdental brush comprises a twisted stem, with the brush portion comprising a plurality of filaments attached at one end of the stem,, and the remaining portion of the stem forming the handle portion.
- the preformed bend is provided in the stem.
- the stem has a diameter in the range of 0.58 mm to 1.05 mm.
- the brush part may have a diameter greater than 2mm, more preferably a diameter in the range of 1 mm to 14 mm.
- the brush is resilient.
- the twisted stem is of greater than 800 Newton wire, more preferably 1087 Newton wire.
- Previously known interdental brushes are formed from 800 Newton wire which is prone to considerable flexing and deformation during use. This as mentioned previously leads to increased incidence of brush fracture. Also, it is necessary for the user to frequently reshape the previously known brush during use, which is not only time consuming, but can further increase the incidence of fracture. By making the present brush resilient, the brush is able to retain its shape.
- the brush head comprises filaments of at least one colour.
- a coloured brush head food debris and plaque removed from the cavities is visible to the user, thereby providing a clear indication that the brushing * is having an effect and hence encouraging brushing.
- Prior brushes only having white filaments did not clearly show removed plaque.
- the filaments may also comprise a plurality of white filaments. Coloured filaments will show blood, but white filaments more clearly show blood that may be a result of the brushing process.
- the twisted stem may comprise stainless steel wires.
- the twisted stem may include at least a partial coating.
- the coating may be of a plastics material. If the stem is formed from a material which could provide a galvanic shock against an amalgam filing and sensitive gums, the coating has the advantage of reducing such shock.
- the interdental brush may be provided in packs of at least two brushes.
- the brushes in the pack may be of different sizes.
- a user may have a variety of different sized cavities, thereby by providing a pack with a variety of size of brush, the appropriate brush can be selected for a specific gap size.
- the size of the gap will increase as the swelling of the gums is reduced.
- the provision of a variety of brush sizes enables a larger size of brush to be selected to clean such enlarged gaps.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known interdental brush.
- the interdental brush comprises a wire stem 12 of twisted stainless steel wires.
- An array of filaments 14 are provided radially about one end of the stem 12 to form a brush part 16, the filaments 14 being held in place by the twists in the wire 12.
- the remaining free portion of the stem 12 forms a handle portion 18.
- the handle portion 18 is substantially straight, whilst the wire holding the filaments 14 at the brush part 16 comprises a gradual bend, or curve 20 such that the tip 22 of the brush curves away from the longitudinal axis 24 of the handle portion 18.
- the brush is used as follows:
- the filaments 14 of the brush head 16 are coloured.
- the colours indicated in the table are colours approved by the US Food and Drug administration. Although specific single colours have been described for a single brush head it is to be understood that a plurality of colours could be used within a single brush head, including white or alternatively the filaments may be provided as white filaments.
- the wire stem has been described as being of bare stainless steel, other material could be used and/or the stem may be coated for example with a plastics material.
- filaments have been illustrated as having substantially the same length and of having the same diameter on a single brush, it is to be understood a plurality of lengths and/or diameters could be provided on a single brush head.
- the bend has been described as being provided by a bend to the wire stem, the bend could be simulated by providing filaments of different lengths along the length of the brush head.
- handle has been described as being the bare wire stem, an additional handle could be provided over such, or in replacement of such.
Landscapes
- Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB0225482.9A GB0225482D0 (en) | 2002-11-01 | 2002-11-01 | Interdental brush |
GB0225482 | 2002-11-01 | ||
PCT/GB2003/004733 WO2004039206A1 (en) | 2002-11-01 | 2003-10-31 | Interdental brush |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1558108A1 true EP1558108A1 (en) | 2005-08-03 |
EP1558108B1 EP1558108B1 (en) | 2007-02-21 |
Family
ID=9947016
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP03809799A Expired - Lifetime EP1558108B1 (en) | 2002-11-01 | 2003-10-31 | Interdental brush |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1558108B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE354302T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003301753A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60312023T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1558108T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0225482D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004039206A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10737860B2 (en) | 2014-06-12 | 2020-08-11 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | System of packaged oral care implements |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120054973A1 (en) * | 2010-09-03 | 2012-03-08 | Rebecca Mostatab | Flossibility |
USD816999S1 (en) | 2017-03-06 | 2018-05-08 | Ranir, Llc | Toothbrush |
CN112822961A (en) * | 2018-07-11 | 2021-05-18 | Tepe口腔卫生产品公司 | Interdental brush with insertion guide tip |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
SE374999B (en) * | 1974-06-13 | 1975-04-07 | P A T Axelsson | |
US4534081A (en) * | 1983-06-29 | 1985-08-13 | Spademan Richard George | Tooth cleaning bristle and holder |
JP2538533B2 (en) * | 1994-02-21 | 1996-09-25 | ライオン株式会社 | Interdental brush |
US6082999A (en) * | 1999-07-27 | 2000-07-04 | Tcherny; Iosif | Interdental device and container |
DE10034367C1 (en) * | 2000-07-14 | 2002-03-07 | Thies Hans Juergen | Teeth cleaning system has holder fitted with interchangeable interdental brushes held in storage container |
-
2002
- 2002-11-01 GB GBGB0225482.9A patent/GB0225482D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2003
- 2003-10-31 WO PCT/GB2003/004733 patent/WO2004039206A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2003-10-31 DE DE60312023T patent/DE60312023T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-10-31 AU AU2003301753A patent/AU2003301753A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-10-31 DK DK03809799T patent/DK1558108T3/en active
- 2003-10-31 EP EP03809799A patent/EP1558108B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-10-31 AT AT03809799T patent/ATE354302T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO2004039206A1 * |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10737860B2 (en) | 2014-06-12 | 2020-08-11 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | System of packaged oral care implements |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2003301753A1 (en) | 2004-05-25 |
WO2004039206A1 (en) | 2004-05-13 |
GB0225482D0 (en) | 2002-12-11 |
DE60312023T2 (en) | 2007-10-31 |
DE60312023D1 (en) | 2007-04-05 |
EP1558108B1 (en) | 2007-02-21 |
ATE354302T1 (en) | 2007-03-15 |
DK1558108T3 (en) | 2007-06-11 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5647302A (en) | Animal dental hygiene device | |
JPH0342805Y2 (en) | ||
US4326548A (en) | Personal oral hygiene tool | |
US4109339A (en) | Toothbrush with curved handle | |
US5570487A (en) | Toothbrush having multiple brushing surface configurations | |
US5775346A (en) | Interproximal dental appliances | |
Dewhurst et al. | Emergency treatment of orodental injuries: a review | |
US4913176A (en) | Dental pick | |
EP0475314A1 (en) | Periodontal device | |
WO2016038407A1 (en) | Adjustable dental hand instrument | |
US20220225754A1 (en) | Toothbrush | |
US20170265638A1 (en) | Tooth brush apparatus and methods of use | |
Barker et al. | Anatomy of root canals. IV deciduous teeth | |
EP3777607A1 (en) | Toothbrush | |
US7954196B1 (en) | Mini multitask brush | |
KR100853476B1 (en) | Explorer instrument for dental surgery | |
KR101784056B1 (en) | Dental chewing gum for a companion dog | |
EP1558108B1 (en) | Interdental brush | |
KR860000481B1 (en) | Tooth brushes for cleaning sulcular areas of the teeth | |
Pachaly et al. | The oral cavity | |
EP0042459B1 (en) | Toothbrush with improved interproximal and free gingival margin accessibility | |
JP2533443B2 (en) | toothbrush | |
JP2015217135A (en) | Interdental cleaner | |
CA2810891A1 (en) | Toothbrush | |
US20220249218A1 (en) | Foolproof periodontal sulcus brush and intrasulcular medicament applicator and method of use |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20050427 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL LT LV MK |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 60312023 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20070405 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION Effective date: 20070522 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070601 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: SE Ref legal event code: TRGR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: 732E |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070723 |
|
NLV1 | Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
EN | Fr: translation not filed | ||
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20071122 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070522 Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20071012 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20071031 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20071031 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20071031 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070822 Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20070221 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R082 Ref document number: 60312023 Country of ref document: DE Representative=s name: WUNDERLICH & HEIM PATENTANWAELTE PARTNERSCHAFT, DE |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Payment date: 20181221 Year of fee payment: 16 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20181205 Year of fee payment: 16 Ref country code: SE Payment date: 20181218 Year of fee payment: 16 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20181130 Year of fee payment: 16 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 60312023 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DK Ref legal event code: EBP Effective date: 20191031 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: SE Ref legal event code: EUG |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200501 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20191101 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20191031 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20191031 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20191031 |