JP2010522031A - Improved mouth cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide toothbrushes and / or other cleaning devices for contacting and cleaning teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks and orthodontic appliances in the oral cavity. Certain embodiments provide a mouth-cleaning device. The instrument includes a handle portion for holding and skillfully manipulating the mouth-cleaning instrument in the oral cavity. The instrument also includes a cleaning head portion that includes a central portion mounted on the handle portion and a plurality of cleaning elements extending radially about the central portion.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates generally to the design and use of tooth and gum cleaning instruments. More particularly, the present invention relates to the design and use of an improved toothbrush appliance for cleaning teeth, gums and / or orthodontic appliances.
(Cross-reference of related applications)
This application was filed on Nov. 13, 2007, US Provisional Patent Application No. 60/987410, filed Apr. 15, 2007, No. 60/911899, and filed Mar. 19, 2007. No. 60/895683, No. 60/895669 filed on Mar. 19, 2007, No. 60/987409 filed on Nov. 13, 2007, No. 60 filed on Oct. 12, 2007 No. 9/97405, and 60/911901 filed Apr. 15, 2007, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

  Those who are not using fixed orthodontic appliances will feel that a conventional toothbrush is sufficient to remove plaque. However, orthodontic patients using braces and other fixation devices face unique problems when removing plaque around these appliances and their surrounding teeth and gums, i.e. gums. . For these types of patients, the level of plaque removal is acceptable because a fixed orthodontic appliance does not reach the area around and underneath the appliance where plaque accumulates, with conventional toothbrushes. It is not unusual to be not. Thus, in order to properly remove plaque using a conventional toothbrush, considerable manual dexterity is required for that part of the patient. Inadequate dental care can result in various forms of caries. Accordingly, there is a need for a toothbrush that can remove plaque that is inaccessible or difficult to reach with a conventional toothbrush at home or in a dental hygienist's clinic.

Furthermore, the various areas of the mouth require different types of cleaning. Various teeth and gum locations in the mouth, eg, mesial (eg, located along the curve of the dental arch towards the center of the front of the jaw), centrifugal (eg, for teeth or tooth surfaces) , Located farthest from the center and front of the jaw), adjacent surfaces (eg, tooth surfaces facing the centerline of the palate), between adjacent teeth (eg, between adjacent surfaces of adjacent teeth), Between teeth (eg, between adjacent faces of the same dental arch, or in relation to them), etc. can benefit from different brush structures. Gingiva, or gums, is divided into marginal areas (eg, surrounding the teeth), attachment areas and interdental areas, each with different problems in exposing and approaching.
Current interdental brushes are specialized instruments designed only to clean between teeth by pushing flat protrusions between the teeth in a manner similar to using dental floss. When the orthodontic appliance is in place on the teeth, an interdental brush can be inserted. However, such interdental brushes are only somewhat effective in cleaning and do not reach the full area of the teeth and gums. Furthermore, such brushes cannot clean the periphery and the interior of orthodontic appliances. Conventional adjacent brushes are less effective due to the presence of orthodontic appliances such as dental braces that attempt to clean the outside of the tooth surface and bend or displace the bristles. Hinders or at least reduces the cleaning of and around it and the affected teeth and gum regions.

Luposello, US Pat. No. 5,537,708, discloses one known toothbrush used to clean orthodontic appliances, including a head having a plurality of upwardly extending bristles. Two elongated brush members overlap vertically on the bristles. Both elongate brush members include an unattached end for insertion between the orthodontic wires and an opposite end connected to the handle of the toothbrush. Luposello is an upwardly extending bristle that combines any of the upwardly extending bristles with horizontal or vertical extension within the same cleaning surface, with any upwardly extending bristles demonstrating omnidirectional cleaning ability. Also not disclosed.
Massetti U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,463 discloses another known toothbrush with a handle having a cleaning portion at one end thereof. The cleaning portion includes opposing side members having one or more swabs extending laterally therebetween. The swab member is rotatable and includes a plurality of bristles extending therefrom. Massetti describes such a rotatable swab and does not consider the use of non-rotating cleaning elements. The rotatable cleaning element slides on the surface to be cleaned, such as the surface of a tooth or orthodontic appliance. Rotating makes them easier to bend rather than keeping the bristles relatively straight. The bristles bend and do not reach the pockets between the teeth for a complete clean. In addition, the bristles rotate to effectively contact the teeth and surrounding tissue / space and form a curve around the teeth rather than clean them. Furthermore, the rigid side members that hold the swabs with laterally extending bristles are more elastic, i.e. elastically, to orient the bristles between the teeth, gums and orthodontic appliances. It is less efficient than a deformable toothbrush holding an element.

US Pat. No. 5,537,708 U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,463

  Certain embodiments provide toothbrushes and / or other cleaning devices for contacting and cleaning teeth, gums, cheeks, tongues and orthodontic appliances in the oral cavity.

  Certain embodiments provide a mouth cleaning device. The instrument includes a handle portion for holding and skillfully manipulating the mouth-cleaning instrument in the oral cavity. The instrument also includes a cleaning head portion that includes two parallel legs, each having a plurality of cleaning elements attached to the handle portion and projecting in multiple directions from the legs.

  Certain embodiments provide a toothbrush for cleaning the oral cavity and associated orthodontic appliances. The toothbrush includes an elongated handle. The toothbrush also includes a cleaning head connected to and extending from one end of the handle. The cleaning head includes a plurality of cleaning elements extending from the central portion of the cleaning head and forming a plurality of generally annular arrays around the central portion. The cleaning head is configured to form a plurality of central portions that are angled with respect to one another. Each length includes a cleaning element for cleaning different areas of teeth, tissue and orthodontic appliances in the oral cavity.

  Certain embodiments provide a cleaning device for oral and orthodontic appliances. The instrument includes a handle. The instrument also includes a central portion and a plurality of bristles that extend radially from the central portion to form a plurality of bristle patterns that are generally annular around the central portion. The plurality of bristles are arranged to contact the teeth, tissue and orthodontic appliance in the oral cavity and assist in cleaning them by manipulating the handle to guide the brushing head. The brushing head is configured to reach the entire tooth to contact the tissue and tooth surface behind the molar in the oral cavity and to clean the orthodontic appliance.

  These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: . The embodiments shown in the drawings are presented for illustrative purposes only. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the arrangements and features shown in the attached drawings.

It is a figure which shows an example of the oral cavity containing the distal region of a molar, and the mesial and distal region of the edentulous part of the oral cavity. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary mesial-centrifugal cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a mesial-centrifugal cleaner with respect to the oral cavity region according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a mesial-centrifugal cleaner with respect to the oral cavity region according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a mesial-centrifugal cleaner with respect to the oral cavity region according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating adjustment or angle adjustment of a neck portion of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary mouth cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram of a mouth cleaning device head according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram of a mouth cleaning device head according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram of a mouth cleaning device head according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates various uses of a mouth cleaning device for cleaning teeth and gums in the oral cavity according to embodiments of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the mouth cleaning instrument by one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an alternative configuration of a mouth-cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which describes the mouth cleaning instrument front-end | tip structure by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which describes the mouth cleaning instrument front-end | tip structure by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which describes the mouth cleaning instrument front-end | tip structure by embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is an illustration of various neck configurations according to certain embodiments of the invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram of a mouth cleaning device including two parallel unconnected legs, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram of a toothbrush including a wire twist brush loop added to a conventional toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram of a toothbrush including a wire twist brush loop added to a conventional toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram of a toothbrush including a wire twist brush loop added to a conventional toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram of a toothbrush including a wire twist brush loop added to a conventional toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 shows placement and access to different teeth and gum regions of the mouth by a toothbrush having a wire twist brush loop added to a conventional toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows placement and access to different teeth and gum regions of the mouth by a toothbrush having a wire twist brush loop added to a conventional toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows placement and access to different teeth and gum regions of the mouth by a toothbrush having a wire twist brush loop added to a conventional toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the wire twist brush loop shape by embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 shows a releasably attachable wire twist brush loop according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows attachment of the wire twist brush loop to the toothbrush main body by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows attachment of the wire twist brush loop to the toothbrush main body by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows attachment of the wire twist brush loop to the toothbrush main body by embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of wire twist brush loop configurations according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a modified toothbrush body for receiving a wire twist brush loop according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the wire twist brush loop structure by embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary wire twist brush that is added to and disposed relative to the body of a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary wire twist brush that is added to and disposed relative to the body of a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary wire twist brush that is added to and disposed relative to the body of a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary wire twist brush that is added to a toothbrush body and disposed relative to the body, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary wire twist brush that is added to and disposed relative to the body of a toothbrush according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a removable mechanism for attaching a wire twist brush to a toothbrush body according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embedded end of a wire twist brush according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows an example of an auxiliary tooth cleaning device attached to a toothbrush according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary oral cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary variation of a head and bristle design according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which describes the deformation | transformation form of the front-end | tip of the cleaning head by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the deformation | transformation form of the angle and bending | flexion of the cleaning head by embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a variation of the neck of the oral cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the bending of the head and neck by embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary brush orientation according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows some examples of the brush cross section by embodiment of this invention.

  Certain embodiments provide a dental, orthodontic appliance, gingival (gum), tongue and / or cheek cleaning appliance. Certain embodiments include a plurality of bristles that are arranged to contact the surface of the teeth and gums, and further travel around and below braces or other orthodontic appliances without departing from the orthodontic appliance. Provide mouth-cleaning equipment. Non-rotating cleaning elements are more suitable for cleaning teeth, gums, other mouth tissues (eg, tongue and cheeks), and orthodontic appliances, where the cleaning element is on the surface to be cleaned. Not slipping is at least part of the reason. Certain embodiments provide a cleaning device that reaches teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks and orthodontic appliances in adjacent surfaces, adjacent teeth, between teeth and / or other areas. The cleaning element may be used to clean teeth, tongues, cheeks and gums, and for example during wires, undercuts and / or other areas of orthodontic appliances (such as dental braces) Reach inside and / or around it.

  The cleaning implement may be configured to include a cleaning portion, i.e., a head and a handle. The head and handle can be connected by a neck, for example. In certain embodiments, the cleaning instrument handle and head are formed using conventional injection molding techniques. In certain embodiments, the cleaning implement may be made from a plurality of components. Bristles and / or other cleaning elements may be attached to the head by gluing, binding, stapling, thermoforming, melting, welding, and the like. The cleaning element, head and handle may also be formed together using, for example, a single-step or multi-step injection molding process.

In certain embodiments, the bristles and / or other cleaning elements in the instrument head may be formed from a thermoplastic material such as wire strands, microfibers, copolymers or synthetic polymers (eg, nylon or polyester). The thickness and / or length of the bristles and / or other cleaning elements may be varied based on, for example, the desired mouth contact area, abrasion due to cleaning, and / or other criteria. In various embodiments, several cleaning elements can be provided, such as primary, secondary and / or multidirectional cleaning elements.
In certain embodiments, brushing or cleaning elements such as bristles contact the area around and below the orthodontic appliance, such as a dental brace, without deviating from the brace. In certain embodiments, bristles are used around the teeth and / or in order to access and clean the inaccessible parts of the teeth, tongue, cheeks and gums in the mouth for the purpose of removing plaque and other deposits. Or reach the back side. The brushing head is configured to reach the entire tooth in order to contact tissue and tooth surfaces within the oral cavity, for example, on the back side of the molar, and to clean the orthodontic appliance.
In various configurations, many of which are described below, the cleaning element formed in the head portion is substantially or substantially curved formed by a center / neck around which the bristles extend radially. Arranged in an arcuate or angled U-shape or V-shape can form a generally annular cleaning element. The center / neck is attached to or attached to the handle. The cleaning head may be implemented at various angles. The cleaning head may be in the same plane as the handle portion of the instrument and / or may be located in a different plane (eg, extending a certain angle above and outside the handle). In certain embodiments, angles may be employed in the head to form cleaning elements in multiple planes of the head portion. For example, the proximal portion of the head may be disposed in substantially the same plane as the head portion, and the distal portion of the head is inclined upward relative to a plane that is substantially parallel to the face of the distal portion of the head.

  Specific embodiments describing variations of mouth cleaning device design and utilization are provided in more detail below.

The mesial-centrifugal cleaner The molars (the teeth located behind the mouth) and the associated gums, as well as the mesial and / or distal regions of the edentulous (ie, missing or missing teeth) part of the mouth are clean It is extremely difficult to do and is therefore prone to periodontal disease. Commonly available toothbrushes are difficult to clean such areas of the mouth, even using different bristle heights and bristles of various angles. Current interdental brushes and conventional toothbrushes are not effectively designed to clean such problem areas. Certain embodiments are designed to improve the distal region of the teeth at the end of the dentition (ie, the array of teeth in the mouth), and the mesial and distal regions of the edentulous part. -Provide a centrifugal cleaner. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 1 provides an example of the distal region of the molar and the mesial and distal regions of the missing tooth, ie the edentulous part of the mouth.

The mesial-centrifugal cleaner 200 includes a head 210, a neck 220, and a handle 230. The head 210 can be, but is not limited to, for example, a twisted wire brush, cylindrical brush, or plastic or rubber material having bristles or similar cleaning elements extending from the center in a generally annular arrangement. It includes a central portion having bristles protruding in multiple directions, such as other similarly shaped devices. FIG. 2 shows some examples of mesial-centrifugal cleaner devices according to certain embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the instrument 200 has a portion of the head 210 (denoted as “A” in FIG. 2) perpendicular to the long axis of the handle 230. Portion A of head 210 is used to clean the mesial and distal regions described above (eg, as shown in FIG. 3). The head 210 also helps to reduce contact between the teeth and the center and can be used to clean the front tooth tongue area (eg, the tooth area proximate to the tongue as shown in FIG. 4). (Indicated as “B” in FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 5, the appliance 200 reaches the distal surface of the tooth, the gum tissue near the distal surface of the tooth, and between the gum tissue and the distal surface of the tooth. The device 200 can also be used to clean the tongue and / or cheek surfaces. FIG. 6 demonstrates that the user can fold the neck portion 210 of the cleaning device 200 to easily access the difficult-to-access areas of the teeth and gums and make brushing more comfortable.
In operation, for example, the user grasps the handle 230 of the cleaning device 200 and uses both part A and part B of the head 210 to reach and clean various areas of the teeth and gums. . The bristles in the head 210 can contact the teeth, for example, for the purpose of cleaning the surface of the molar tooth and the tissue behind it. As shown in part A and part B, such cleaning is performed so that the configuration of the bristles extending radially around the center of the head 210 and the branches of the head 210 is beneficial to the user. To help promote.

Certain embodiments of the mouth cleaning device provide a variation on the mouth cleaning device. Mouth cleaning device (MCD) 700 includes a head 710, a neck 720, and a handle 730. The head 710 includes a central portion having bristles protruding in multiple directions, such as a wire brush, but is not limited thereto. The wire brush can be replaced with, for example, a cylindrical brush or other similarly shaped device made of rubber or plastic material.
FIG. 7 shows an exemplary MCD 700 that includes a head 710, a neck 720, and a handle 730. 8, 9 and 10 describe views of the head 710 as viewed from FIG. 10c, as viewed from FIG. 7b, respectively, as viewed from FIG. 7a. 8, 9 and 10 show examples of various configurations of the MCD 700. FIG. The length of the bristles can be uniform or can be variable, for example, to facilitate proper access to the area between the teeth, around the braces, and between the teeth and gums. The wire brush can be folded so that the bristles are more easily accessible to the tooth surface, the area between the teeth and the gums. FIG. 11 illustrates various applications of MCD 700 for cleaning teeth and gums, for example.

  The neck 720 connects the bristle portion, ie the head 710, to the handle 730. FIG. 12 demonstrates that the two ends of the wire brush can be joined together before the brush head 710 is embedded in the handle 730. FIG. 13 shows that the two ends of the wire brush can be embedded in the handle 730. FIG. 14 shows a configuration of an appliance 700 where only one end 720 of the wire brush 710 is embedded in the handle 730 and the other end can be adapted to other tooth cleaning appliances. In FIG. 15, the interdental toothbrush 740 is configured to have a shorter bristles and to be the tip of the unfastened end of the MCD 700. The interproximal toothbrush portion 740 may be made of thinner wires and / or bristles having different stiffnesses and / or lengths, for example. An example of another additional cleaning instrument is shown in FIG. FIG. 17 demonstrates that the neck 720 can be straight, curved, or bent to connect the head 710 to the handle 730 in various directions. The length of the neck 720 can vary, which can appear as an extension of the handle 730, for example. The handle 730 may be straight or curved for ease of use, as found in commercially available toothbrushes. FIG. 18 shows a variation of MCD 700 in which two parallel wire legs 712, 714 do not connect at the tip.

  In certain embodiments, the head 710 and / or neck 720 can be adjusted or bent by the user to achieve the comfort and / or efficiency he or she chooses. For example, the wire portion of the head 710 may include plastic protective material and / or other coatings to reduce discomfort and / or protect teeth or soft tissue upon contact.

In operation, for example, the user grasps the handle 730 and uses a plurality of bristles extending along the length of the head 710 to access the oral cavity to access the teeth, tongue, cheeks and / or gums. The head 710 is skillfully operated within. The configuration of head 710 allows the user to access and clean adjacent interproximal regions of the teeth, gums and cheeks, and other regions in the oral cavity, including in and around orthodontic appliances. It becomes possible.
Wire Twist Brush Loop Toothbrush In certain embodiments, a wire twist brush that can be bent to a commercially available toothbrush so that it is more easily accessible closer to the arch of the upper and lower front teeth and the back of the final molar A (WTB) loop is added.
In certain embodiments, a WTB loop 1910 can be attached to the toothbrush head 1920 as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. A three-dimensional diagram is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 19, the loop 1910 may be configured to move and be adjustable to various positions relative to the brush head 1920 to contact a desired area in the mouth.
In certain embodiments, the WTB loop 1910 can be easily bent with finger pressure. Depending on the placement of the WTB loop 1910, it is possible to more easily approach a specific area of the mouth. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, typical brushing using a head 1920 is possible without being obstructed by the WTB loop 1910. As in the arrangement of FIG. 23, the WTB loop 1910 can approach the arcuate inside the upper and lower anterior teeth. In FIG. 24, the WTB loop 1910 is positioned to approach the back surface of the final molar. As shown in FIG. 25, the bristles of the WTB loop 1910 can be positioned to approach the inner corners between the teeth.

  In this manner, the arrangement of the WTB loop 1910 can be adjusted to various angles depending on the user's preference and hand dexterity.

In certain embodiments, the shape of the WTB loop 1910 can be changed three-dimensionally with finger pressure in order to enhance mouth cleanliness and contact based on user preferences. An example is shown in FIG.
In certain embodiments, the bendable WTB loop 1910 can be removed from its position on the toothbrush head 1920. As in the example of FIG. 27, the tip 1930 of the loop 1910 may include a fixture or male portion, and the brush body 1920 includes one or more receptacles or female portions 1940 for receiving the loop tip 1930. It's okay. The female portion 1940 may be adjustable to receive the tip 1930 of the loop 1910, for example.

The female portion 1940 can be placed anywhere on the brush body 1920. The female or receptacle portion can be designed so that the position of the WTB loop 1910 can be adjusted and locked to the desired position.
For use with commercially available toothbrushes without receptacles or attachment points, a WTB loop 1910 can be molded, for example, as shown in FIG. An exemplary method of assembly is shown in FIG. Both ends 1930 of the instrument 1910 can be used to secure the instrument 1910 to the plastic body 1920. Unfastened end 1930 is bent proximate to plastic body 1910 so as not to interfere with normal brushing.

In certain embodiments, the tip 1930 can be securely embedded within the brush body 1920 such that the tip 1930 of the WTB loop 1910 does not come out of the body when bent back and forth for use and storage. . An example of shaping the tip 1930 of the WTB loop 1910 to reinforce the fixation within the body 1920 is shown in FIG.
In certain embodiments, the WTB loop 1910 can be used alone without being combined with a commercially available toothbrush (see, eg, FIG. 31). One or more WTB loops 1910 can be used with the handle 1920, such as a wire brush loop in a plastic handle.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 32, the body or handle 1920 of the toothbrush 1900 can be modified to receive the end 1930 of the WTB loop 1910 for the purpose of placing the WTB loop 1910 in different regions of the brush 1900. .

  In certain embodiments, various types of similar instruments (eg, a central portion with laterally projecting spurs of uniform and / or variable length) replace the WTB loop 1910. be able to. The material of the loop itself and / or the flexibility of the assembly structure can be increased. An example is shown in FIG.

  In operation, for example, loop 1910 and toothbrush head 1920 can be used together to clean the mouth area. The user can place the loop 1910 relative to the head 1920 to access the back of the molar as well as the arcuate inside the upper and lower anterior teeth. The wire brush loop 1910 can be used in conjunction with the brushing head 1920 to clean teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks and orthodontic appliances by various placement and movement.

Tooth Cleaning Device In certain embodiments, a wire twist brush (WTB) 3410 can be added to a commercially available toothbrush 3400, as shown in FIG. When not in use, the WTB 3410 can be pushed down or bent down and held in close proximity to the brush body 3420 under the hook 3450 (eg, also shown in position A of FIG. 34 and also in FIG. 35). ) When the brush 3410 is used, the user can remove the brush 3410 (eg, shown at position B in FIG. 34).

  The hook 3450 under which the WTB 3410 can be placed may be formed of a rigid material such as metal or plastic (such as a material similar to the plastic body of a toothbrush). An example of a hook 3450 is shown in FIG.

  In certain embodiments, the WTB 3410 can be placed anywhere on the brush body 3420. Some examples are shown in FIG.

  In certain embodiments, when the WTB 3410 is not used, the brush body 3420 (eg, a plastic brush body or handle) may be used to reduce the outer shape of the WTB 3410 and / or to prevent the WTB 3410 from interfering with normal brushing by the body bristles. ) Can be modified somewhat. As an example, FIG. 38 shows a first embodiment in which the WTB 3410 is disposed in a recess or indent 3460 in the body 3420 and a second embodiment in which the WTB 3410 is disposed behind the protrusion 3470 of the body 3420. Show.

  In certain embodiments, the mechanism for attaching WTB 3410 to body 3420 may be fixed and / or removable. In the fixed mechanism, the bristles-free end of WTB 3410 is embedded in toothbrush body 3420. In a removable mechanism, the WTB 3410 can be attached to the body 3420 via a male / female connection (see, eg, FIG. 39). Other removable securing mechanisms can be used.

  In certain alternative embodiments, the embedded end 3430 (without bristles) of the WTB 3410 is mechanically secured within the body 3410 so that the end 3430 does not move when the WTB 3410 is bent back and forth. An example is shown in FIG.

In certain embodiments, other types of auxiliary tooth cleaning appliances can be attached to commercially available toothbrushes in the manner described above. An example is shown in FIG.
In operation, for example, bristles on the brush body 3420 can be used to clean teeth, gums, and other areas in the oral cavity. A WTB 3410 can be placed in the user's mouth to additionally clean between and around the teeth, orthodontic appliances, tongue, cheeks, and the like. Thus, the body bristles and the wire brush are complementary to each other to achieve complete cleaning.

Oral Cleansing Device Certain embodiments provide an oral cleaning device (OCCD) that includes a head, a neck, and a handle.

  FIG. 42 illustrates an exemplary OCCD 4200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. OCCD 4200 includes a head 4210, a neck 4220, and a handle 4230. The head 4210 may be formed of a central portion having bristles protruding in multiple directions from the central portion.

  FIG. 43 shows a variation of the head 4210 and bristle design. For example, the head 4210 may be a twisted wire brush, a cylindrical brush, or a similarly shaped device made of a rubber material. The central portion may not be bendable or may be bendable by the user to adjust the shape of the instrument.

  FIG. 44 describes a variation of the tip 4215 of the head 4210. For example, the tip 4215 may include a plastic cap at the end of the head 4210. The tip 4215 may include, for example, additional bristles that continue around the head 4210 and around it. For example, the tip 4215 may comprise a different material than that used for the bristles 4217 to provide a different contact surface and cleaning structure than the first bristles 4217 in the head 4210.

  FIG. 45 shows examples of angular and bending variations that can be employed within the head 4210 to facilitate cleaning. The neck 4220 connects the head 4210 to the handle 4230. In certain embodiments, the neck 4220 is bendable and may be slightly flexible. FIG. 46 demonstrates a variation of the neck 4220. To achieve the comfort and / or efficiency selected by the user, the user can bend the head 4210 and neck 4220 of the OCCD 4200. Some bending examples are shown in FIG.

  In certain embodiments, the handle 4230 may be straight or curved for ease of use by the user, as found in commercially available toothbrushes.

  In certain embodiments, the wire portion of the head 4210 may include a plastic protective material or coating to reduce discomfort and / or to protect, for example, teeth or soft tissue from touching the wire.

  In operation, the OCCD 4200 can be used to clean various areas of the oral cavity, including but not limited to interdental areas. Unlike available interdental brushes, OCCD 4200 covers more than one interdental region (see, for example, the brush and tooth diagram shown in FIG. 45). The OCCD 4200 can also simultaneously handle various parts of the oral cavity, such as cheek tissue, teeth and gums.

  Compared to a conventional toothbrush with a plastic head with bristles protruding vertically on only one side of the head, the OCCD 4200 has the flexibility of the OCCD with a twisted wire head, which can cause tooth damage such as wear on the tooth neck. Help to minimize.

Various Rigid Brushes Certain embodiments provide a variety of rigid brushes. The brush includes a central portion and a protrusion from the central portion that extends in multiple directions from the central portion. Examples include, but are not limited to, twisted wire brushes. The bristles (or protrusions) may be selectively cut so that the brushes form surfaces that differ in their flexibility and stiffness. FIG. 48 illustrates a brush 4800 having a central portion 4810 and bristles 4815 extending from the central portion 4810 according to one embodiment. FIG. 48 demonstrates the orientation of the brush 4800. FIG. 49 shows some examples of brush cross-sections that demonstrate varying lengths, thicknesses and orientations. Because brushes have inherently different stiffnesses, lengths, etc., for example, brushes can be used to more effectively clean different parts of the oral cavity, such as teeth, tongue, cheeks, palate and gums.

  In certain embodiments, various length / various stiffness brushes can be applied to one or more of the embodiments discussed above.

  The examples provided herein are presented merely for the purpose of illustrating and describing specific embodiments of the present invention. Other methods may be used to accomplish similar objectives that are within the scope of the present invention, and the examples shown are not intended to limit the instruments and methods for implementing the present invention.

  As another example, one or more embodiments described below may be used alone and / or in combination to provide a cleaning device for the mouth, including teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks and orthodontic appliances. May be implemented. Several alternative designs are described in US patent application Ser. No. 11 / 559,265 filed Nov. 13, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

   The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. This is not intended to be exhaustive or intended to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings, These forms may be obtained from implementation. This embodiment is the subject of the present invention and its subject matter so that those skilled in the art can utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications when adapted to the specific use contemplated. It was chosen and described for the purpose of explaining the actual application.

  One skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to the formation of a variety of mouth-cleaning devices. While particular features of an embodiment of the claimed subject matter have been shown as described herein, those skilled in the art will perceive many modifications, alternatives, changes, and equivalents at this time. . Further, although several instrument components and the relationships between instrument components have been described in detail, some of the described components and / or embodiments may be combined and / or other components and Those skilled in the art can use separately from the embodiments and / or establish additional features and / or relationships between features, all of which are in accordance with the claimed subject matter. Is expected. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations that fall within the true spirit of the claimed subject matter embodiments. It is.

Claims (20)

A handle portion for holding and skillfully operating a mouth cleaning device in the oral cavity;
A mouth cleaning device comprising: a cleaning head portion comprising two parallel legs each having a plurality of cleaning elements mounted on the handle portion and projecting in multiple directions from the legs.   The instrument of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head portion comprises a portion connected to the two parallel legs to form a curved cleaning head portion having a plurality of lengths including a cleaning element.   The instrument of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head portion comprises a plurality of portions extending in a plurality of planes relative to a major axis of the instrument.   The instrument of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head portion is positionable relative to the handle portion by a user.   The cleaning head portion includes a first portion of the cleaning head portion that is parallel to a major axis of the handle portion and a second portion of the cleaning head portion that is perpendicular to the major axis of the handle portion. The instrument described.   The instrument of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head portion is disposed at a constant angle relative to the handle portion and is in a plane away from the handle portion.   The two parallel legs of the cleaning head portion further comprise two unconnected legs, each leg being attached to the handle portion and extending in a radial direction around a central portion and the central portion The cleaning device of claim 1, comprising:   8. The device of claim 7, wherein each leg comprises a tip that includes a second type of cleaning element that differs from the first type of cleaning element extending from the longitudinal axis of the leg.   The instrument of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cleaning elements comprises a plurality of bristles.   The instrument of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cleaning elements are a plurality of lengths. A toothbrush for cleaning the oral cavity and accompanying orthodontic appliances,
An elongated handle;
A cleaning head connected to and extending from one end of the handle, the cleaning head including a plurality of cleaning elements extending from a central portion of the cleaning head and forming a plurality of generally annular arrangements around the central portion; Configured to form a plurality of connected portions of the central portion that are angled with respect to each other, each portion including a cleaning element for cleaning different regions of teeth, tissue and orthodontic appliances in the oral cavity A toothbrush comprising a cleaning head.   12. The cleaning head includes a cleaning element and includes a first portion of the cleaning head that is parallel to a long axis of the handle and a second portion of the cleaning head that is perpendicular to the long axis of the handle. The toothbrush described.   The toothbrush of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the cleaning head is disposed at a constant angle relative to the handle and is in a plane away from the handle.   The toothbrush of claim 11, wherein the cleaning head is positionable relative to the handle by a user.   The toothbrush according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of cleaning elements comprises a plurality of bristles.   The toothbrush of claim 11, wherein the plurality of cleaning elements are of a plurality of lengths.   The toothbrush of claim 11, wherein the plurality of portions of the central portion form a generally U-shaped or V-shaped head. A cleaning device for mouth and orthodontic appliances,
A handle,
A brushing head including a central portion and a plurality of bristles extending radially from the central portion to form a plurality of substantially annular bristle patterns around the central portion, wherein the plurality of bristles are the brushing head A brushing head arranged to contact the teeth, tissue and orthodontic appliances in the oral cavity by skillfully manipulating the handle to assist in cleaning, the brushing head comprising: A mouth and orthodontic appliance cleaning device configured to reach the entire tooth in order to contact tissue and tooth surfaces behind the molars and clean the orthodontic appliance in the oral cavity.   The instrument of claim 18, wherein the brushing head comprises bristles configured substantially U-shaped and extending along at least a portion of each of the three lengths forming the U-shape.   The instrument of claim 10, wherein the U-shaped length of the distal end of the cleaning instrument and the brushing head is disposed in a different plane from the plane of the cleaning instrument that includes the handle.

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