WO2010039112A1 - Mandibular maxillary prophylaxis appliance - Google Patents
Mandibular maxillary prophylaxis appliance Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2010039112A1 WO2010039112A1 PCT/US2008/012929 US2008012929W WO2010039112A1 WO 2010039112 A1 WO2010039112 A1 WO 2010039112A1 US 2008012929 W US2008012929 W US 2008012929W WO 2010039112 A1 WO2010039112 A1 WO 2010039112A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- brush
- maxillary
- mandibular
- prophylaxis
- appliance
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
- A61C17/24—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like rotating continuously
- A61C17/26—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like rotating continuously driven by electric motor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/20—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices using ultrasonics
Definitions
- This disclosure relates generally to the field of toothbrushes and, more particularly, to a mechanized toothbrush apparatus capable of simultaneously brushing upper and lower teeth.
- a sonic power toothbrush which comprises a body, a brush member mounted on the body, a brush head which is supported by the brush member at its end remote from the body so as to be able to vibrate relative to the body and which is provided with bristles and an additive outlet, an additive container connected to said additive outlet, driving means for generating sonic frequency vibrations, and transmission means for transmitting said sonic frequency vibrations to the brush head, wherein the toothbrush comprises at least one further additive container.
- these additives are already incorporated into the sonic-power toothbrush, which benefits the user-friendliness of the device.
- Ferber et al US 6760945 discloses an electric toothbrush having a detachable brush head assembly including a driven shaft that is driven by a driveshaft disposed within a housing.
- the driveshaft is part of or secured to a torsion bar that supports an armature including a pair of magnets.
- An electric coil receives an alternating flow of current at a predetermined frequency that causes the magnets to be alternately attracted to the coil and causes the torsion bar to oscillate in an oscillatory rotary motion.
- U.S. 6334232 discloses a toothbrush for removing plaque, tarter and calculus from teeth.
- the toothbrush includes an elongated grip handle having a plurality of toothbrush bodies mounted on an end.
- the toothbrush bodies are adapted to clean various surfaces of teeth simultaneously.
- U.S. 5842249 discloses a toothbrush for efficiently removing plaque, tartar, and calculus from teeth.
- the toothbrush includes a grip handle and a crown cap mounted on a distal end of the grip handle.
- the crown cap is provided with a first tooth fitting portion which includes a pair of walls having curved inner surfaces confronting each other and proximal ends, and a central portion for connecting the pair of walls at the proximal ends.
- the central portion has a wavy or sinuous inner surface that is continuous with the curved inner surfaces.
- the curved and wavy inner surfaces have a cross-section of a substantially heart-shape with a lower, opened end, and bristle assemblies are secured on the continuous curved and wavy inner surfaces.
- the bristle assemblies are elongated and extend at an angle ranging from 30.degree. to 60. degree, with respect to the curved and wavy inner surfaces such that at least one of the bristle assemblies that is secured on one of the curved inner surfaces has a tip end directed toward the wavy inner surface.
- a second tooth fitting portion having a substantially inverted V-shape could be used on the crown cap, in addition to, or in place of, the first tooth fitting portion.
- the second tooth fitting portion also includes bristle assemblies which are secured to curved inner surfaces, and extending at angle therefrom.
- Klinkhammer U.S. 5669097, discloses an elongated handle of the device that has L- shaped first and second arms thereon which project in a horizontal plane from the distal end thereof, and the laterals of which depend from the main portions thereof. Interposed in a slot between the first and second arms is a third arm which projects in substantially a vertical plane coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the handle.
- An inverted U-shaped cowling with bristle arrayed about the inside thereof, is suspended from the third arm and supported on the laterals of the first and second arms, so that the inside surfaces of the skirts of the cowling are disposed to oppose the inside and outside faces of the teeth in a row of the same when the cowling is straddled about the row with the vertical plane of the handle and the three arms generally parallel thereto.
- Yieldable biasing means in the first and second arms require that the user forcibly wedge the teeth between the inside surfaces of the skirts when the cowling is straddled about the row of teeth, but the main portions of the first and second arms are adapted to resiliently flex in the horizontal plane thereof relative to the vertical plane of the handle, and the points at which the laterals depend from the main portions of the arms are sufficiently spaced apart along the slot from the points at which the main portions connect with the distal end of the handle, that the laterals maintain substantially the original angles thereof to the horizontal plane when the teeth are forcibly wedged between them, so that the bristles on the inside surfaces of the skirts maintain substantially the angles of incidence to the faces of the teeth given them in the design of the device.
- Klinkhammer U.S. 5137039, discloses a device and method that employ a pair of spaced jaws which have a tooth cleaning implement connected therewith, in the gap therebetween.
- the jaws are straddled about a row of teeth, transverse thereof, and translated along the row opposite the inside and outside faces of the teeth.
- Various features enable the user to locate and. “steer” the device, even when the jaws and implement are out-of-sight to him.
- Other features enable the user to count on the device itself to provide the "dynamics" with which we commonly use a conventional "tooth brush” when we manipulate it in our mouths from a point thereoutside.
- Still others enable the user to program or predetermine the "grip" of the device, transverse of the row, and to do so, moreover, in the context of having an interchangeable or replaceable tooth cleaning implement thereon which is adjustable in "grip” each time a new implement is substituted for an old.
- Other features enable the user to clean both gums and teeth alike, as well as to dislodge debris from any pockets at the gum line, and to clean the interstices between pairs of teeth.
- Still others enable him to flush away debris which is generated by the device during the various tooth cleaning operations.
- the various features include, among others, a taco shell-like cartridge unit which is insertable in the gap between the jaws to serve as a tooth cleaning implement, and a module for forming such a cartridge.
- the module has a bat-like, spread wing configuration, but it is sufficiently flexible and/or pliable to be folded into the generally U-shaped configuration of a cartridge unit.
- the various features also include certain bristle which are used in certain tooth brushing heads of the device.
- Burki U.S. 3732589 discloses a treatment appliance and like tool, especially for treating teeth of human beings and generally for simultaneously applying the tool to a variety of treatment surfaces.
- the appliance is equipped to this end with various brush or polishing bristles which are prearranged in a specific pattern to and for cooperation with each other.
- An array of disk- or plate-shaped carrier or carriers together with one or more roller-shaped carriers, both retaining bristles thereon, is provided which facilitates access to various faces of a tooth or like object in one operational step, the brushes being continuously driven to efficiently clean and brush without any dexterity and skill on the part of the operator.
- U.S. 4880382 discloses an integral oral hygiene system which includes an electric toothbrush wherein the brush can be replaced by an interproximal gum stimulator, an interproximal brush or a floss holder, all of which are driven by the toothbrush motor.
- Lustig et al. U.S. 5145369, discloses a manually deployable power tool for dental treatment and other uses that drives an output shaft with continuous rotary motion, combined with selected axial reciprocation of adjustable stroke length.
- the drive mechanism for imparting this combined motion to the output shaft has a single rotary input drive coupled with an adjustable cam mechanism.
- the cam mechanism produces the reciprocating motion in response to the driven rotation of the output shaft.
- the tool drive mechanism has a high degree of axial symmetry, and is arranged to facilitate the delivery of liquid material to the output, tool-carrying end of the output shaft.
- a dental hygiene system with interchangeable dental heads that permits power-enhanced brushing and concurrent fluid irrigation to optimize a user's personal dental hygiene efforts.
- the system has a handle assembly with an irrigation nozzle in close proximity to displaceable bristles driven by a battery-operated handle motor. Pumping of irrigation fluid such as an antiseptic solution into the oral cavity is also motor driven.
- a telescoping chamber with irrigation fluid fits on the piston-like base end of the handle and is refilled by docking the handle assembly on a complementary docking station that includes a detachable fluid reservoir, microswitch controls and a base fluid pump. Docking of the handle assembly triggers the micro- switches and opens a check valve in the bottom of the handle chamber, which activates the flow of fluid from the reservoir into the chamber.
- An optional fiberoptic subassembly illuminates the oral cavity.
- Chan U.S. 7356866 discloses an electric toothbrush is comprising a body, a head, and a neck extending therebetween.
- the head comprises a receiving member and several unique and preferred arrangements of static and movable carriers.
- the carriers can comprise bristles, and the static bristle carrier(s) can at least partially surround the collection of movable bristle carrier(s).
- a motor and drive train impart motion to the movable carrier(s).
- Burki '589 teaches a rotating brush system with similar brush arrangement and which can contact both manibular and maxillary teeth simultaneously.
- the Burki '589 device has a tendency to roll along the teeth due to its rotational action, and, of course this depends on whether the brushes grip the maxillary teeth or the mandibular teeth with a greater force. This is inconvenient since the user must exert a restraining force to maintain the brush at a desired location and to proceed at a desired linear speed along a row of the teeth. In the presently described invention counter rotation of the brushes cancels this tendency.
- the Burki '589 device as shown in his Fig. 1 and Fig.
- Prophylaxis is important for maintaining the health of teeth and gingivae structures. Many individuals, especially the aged and young have difficulty in using a standard toothbrush. Even when manipulation of a brush is not difficult, studies show that the full and complete application of proper oral care is only achieved by about 35% of the general public. This is most likely because proper prophylaxis takes considerably time and patience. Poor training, problems with right or left handedness and other issues also contribute to inadequate. The many dental care solutions that are now known and that have been presented to the public attest to the apparent difficulty in making further improvements in the field of oral hygiene.
- the present invention is a new approach with significant advantages over the prior art as it assures that all exposed tooth surfaces are cleaned, that the proximal gingivae are massaged, and that gingivae pockets are cleaned, and it assures that this is done quickly, essentially in about 25% of the time it would take to do the same job using a standard, hand-held toothbrush.
- the present invention provides a powered toothbrush head that is configured to engaged two or three of both the maxillary, as well as the mandibular teeth at the same time.
- the head is universally mounted so that it may be guided from smoothly between the left and right sides of the.
- three pairs of opposing rotating brushes simultaneous operate in both maxillary and mandibular positions.
- the brushes may be rotated, sonically vibrated, or both by the use of a single switch.
- the brushes are rotationally driven through a mechanical drive train, while in an alternate embodiment, the brushes are ultrasonically vibrated, and in a still further alternate embodiment, the brushes are both rotated and vibrated.
- the brushes contact tooth surfaces providing cleaning action by vibrational bristle displacement against tooth and gingivae surfaces, and/or by bristle motion across the tooth and gingivae surfaces. It has been found that ultrasonic energy transferred to the aqueous environment found in the mouth during prophylaxis is sufficient to dislodge food particles within interproximal tooth areas and within gingivae pockets. Therefore, the use of rotating brushes and ultrasonic vibration of the bristles of the brushes at the same time provides a complete cleaning solution without the need for flossing, pick massaging or other supplementary manual hygiene activities which are often neglected due to time constraints or simple impatience.
- Another objective is to provide prophylaxis to portions of both upper and lower teeth and gingivae simultaneously.
- a further objective is to clean buccal/labial and occlusal and lingual tooth surfaces, and massage proximal gingivae and displace plaque from gingivae pockets at the same time.
- a still further objective is to accomplish these hygiene steps by rotating bristle contact.
- a still further objective is to accomplish these hygiene steps by ultrasonic energy transfer from brush bristles directly to oral surfaces and through a liquid medium. [25] A still further objective is to accomplish both abrasion and energy transfer simultaneously.
- a final objective is to provide toothbrush head movement over inserted tooth structures while maintaining a comfortable angle of the handle.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the presently described apparatus with a toothbrush head thereof shown distally;
- Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the toothbrush head shown enlarged and proximally;
- Figure 3 is a mechanical schematic diagram of the toothbrush head in an axial proximal elevation view showing a gearbox drive train thereof and positions of brushes thereof;
- FIG. 4 is a mechanical schematic diagram of the toothbrush head in a side elevation view showing the gearbox, and a portion of a drive shaft and handle enclosure.
- the present invention is a hand held and manipulated toothbrush appliance that is mechanically driven.
- a handle 10 includes a case 12 which encloses a rotational driver 14 and optionally, a vibratory driver 16. Extending from case 12 is a shaft 20 capable of optionally rotating or vibrating, and also, rotating and vibrating simultaneously by operation of a means for selection 18 preferably a multi- position electrical switch on the case 12. Shaft 20 is joined axially to a brush head 30.
- brush head 30 provides an upper structure 32 and a lower structure 34 which structures are integral and extend in opposition from, and are integral also with a gear box 36.
- the upper and lower structures 32, 34 each preferably are U-shaped as shown but may take other forms.
- Within each of the structures 32 and 34 are mounted three pairs of operating brush sets 38 which either rotate, or vibrate, or both as will be described. Of course a different number of brush sets 38 may be used.
- Each of these operating brush sets 38 comprises a central brush 38C surrounded by a plurality of a satellite brush 38S.
- Said brush 38C and said brush 38S are each comprised of plural mutually aligned bristles 38B as can be seen in the figure.
- Each brush set 38 also comprises a brush disc 39 upon which the central brush 38C and plural of the satellite brush 38S are normally mounted as best shown in Fig. 2.
- each of the U-shaped structures 32 and 34 two pairs of the brush sets 38 are mounted in mutual axial opposition and a third pair of the brush sets 38 are positioned medially between the opposing pairs. This is clearly shown in Fig. 2. Because the satellite brushes 38S are spaced apart on each brush disc 39, the bristles of adjacent brush sets 38 do not interference with each other during rotation, although the brush sets 38 partially occupy the same space as shown in Fig. 3.
- Rotational driver 14 is preferably a small DC electric motor driven by a battery housed within case 12. Such a system is well described in US 5145369 to Lustig et al which is hereby incorporated herein by reference to adequately teach this well known arrangement.
- Driver 14 rotates shaft 20, and, as shown in Fig. 4, shaft 20 is joined to a gear driver shaft 40 within brush head 30 by a universal joint 42 so that handle 10 is able to move, as desired, between its nominal position shown in solid line outline in Fig. 1, to a left "A" and a right “B” alternate positions which are indicated by phantom lines lateral to the nominal position.
- This enables the handle 10 to be held in a comfortable position while manipulating the brush head 30 across the teeth at the front of the mouth and also along the teeth at either side of the mouth, as will be further described presently.
- Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram which does not show all of the structural elements necessary to operation, such as bearing housings for holding shafts, etc.
- gear driver shaft 40 will normally terminate at the left side of the diagram at a bearing mount (not shown) which secures gear driver shaft 40.
- a further bearing mount would be required between universal joint 42 and double sided sun crown gear 44 so as to assure axial stability of gear driver shaft 40.
- the bearing mount elements are not shown so as to improve clarity of the key necessary components that operate the present invention, however those of skill in the art would be able to provide such missing elements.
- Figs. 3 and 4 show that four smaller planetary crown gears 46 are engaged on each side of double sided sun crown gear 44.
- two of the planetary crown gears 46 have been omitted in the diagram in order to more clearly show the details of interaction between elements of this enablement.
- two of the planetary crown gears 46 are mounted on horizontal shafts 48 and two further of the planetary crown gears 46 are mounted on vertical shafts 49.
- each one of the horizontal shafts 48 would terminate in a bearing mount so as to be held in place, and although not shown for clarity in the diagram, this enablement could be easily provided by those of skill in the art and such bearing mounts could be easily incorporated into the walls of gearbox 36.
- Each of the vertical shafts 49 is engaged with a brush disk
- the two pairs of the brush sets 38 which are mounted in mutual axial opposition in both the upper and the lower structures 32 and 34 are rotated by drive bands 35 which rotationally join the horizontal shafts 48 of the mutually opposing brush sets 38 with those horizontal shafts 48 which are driven by the small crown gears 46.
- the drive bands 35 are flexible steel straps which run in grooves in their respective horizontal shafts 48.
- the brush sets 38 are able to be rotated mechanically from rotational driver 14 through shaft 20 and gearbox 36.
- the brush head 30 is inserted into a person's mouth and the upper teeth are inserted into the upper structure 32 and the lower teeth that are in opposition to the upper inserted teeth are inserted at the same time into the lower structure 34.
- the rotational driver 14 is energized using control 18 so that all of the brush sets 38 rotate.
- the bristles of the brush sets 38 contact all of the exposed surfaces of the teeth at once cleaning both the upper and lower engaged teeth simultaneously.
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Abstract
A handle [18] enclosing a rotational driver [14] and a vibratory driver [16] and an electrical switch [18] is engaged with a brush head [30] having plural brush sets [38], each of the brush sets [38] separately engaged for rotational and/or vibratory motion. The brush sets [38] each have bristles [38B] that contact lingual, buccal-labial and occlusal maxillary and mandibular teeth surfaces when the teeth are inserted into the brush head [30]. The brush sets [38] are mechanically engaged by at least one of the rotational and vibratory drivers [14,16] through the brush head [30] and preferably execute rotational brushing action as well as sonic vibratory action on teeth and gingivae at the same time.
Description
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Mandibular-Maxillary Prophylaxis Appliance
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Present Disclosure
[1] This disclosure relates generally to the field of toothbrushes and, more particularly, to a mechanized toothbrush apparatus capable of simultaneously brushing upper and lower teeth.
[2] Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
[3] Gruber, US 6918153 discloses an oral care system comprising a sonic power toothbrush which comprises a body, a brush member mounted on the body, a brush head which is supported by the brush member at its end remote from the body so as to be able to vibrate relative to the body and which is provided with bristles and an additive outlet, an additive container connected to said additive outlet, driving means for generating sonic frequency vibrations, and transmission means for transmitting said sonic frequency vibrations to the brush head, wherein the toothbrush comprises at least one further additive container. Instead of the user having to apply a first and a second additive manually to the brush head, these additives are already incorporated into the sonic-power toothbrush, which benefits the user-friendliness of the device. The application of the additives to the teeth is realized in an effective manner.
[4] Ferber et al, US 6760945, discloses an electric toothbrush having a detachable brush head assembly including a driven shaft that is driven by a driveshaft disposed within a housing. The driveshaft is part of or secured to a torsion bar that supports an armature including a pair of magnets. An electric coil receives an alternating flow of current at a predetermined frequency that causes the magnets to be alternately attracted to the coil and causes the torsion bar to oscillate in an oscillatory rotary motion.
[5] Sato, U.S. 6334232, discloses a toothbrush for removing plaque, tarter and calculus from teeth. The toothbrush includes an elongated grip handle having a plurality of toothbrush bodies mounted on an end. The toothbrush bodies are adapted to clean various surfaces of teeth simultaneously.
[6] Philippe-Guy Woog, et al, US 5934908 discloses a sonic toothbrush and method for producing acoustic pressure. A predetermined bristle tip velocity is generated under applied load. A predetermined acoustic pressure is produced under applied load. A predetermined shear stress is produced and predetermined mechanical power is produced. Bacterial and microbial plaque under the gumline and in pockets is dislodged without physical contact between the plaque surface and bristle tips.
[7] Sato, U.S. 5842249, discloses a toothbrush for efficiently removing plaque, tartar, and calculus from teeth. The toothbrush includes a grip handle and a crown cap mounted on a distal end of the grip handle. The crown cap is provided with a first tooth fitting portion which includes a pair of walls having curved inner surfaces confronting each other and proximal ends, and a central portion for connecting the pair of walls at the proximal ends. The central portion has a wavy or sinuous inner surface that is continuous with the curved inner surfaces. The curved and wavy inner surfaces have a cross-section of a substantially heart-shape with a lower, opened end, and bristle assemblies are secured on the continuous curved and wavy inner surfaces. The bristle assemblies are elongated and extend at an angle ranging from 30.degree. to 60. degree, with respect to
the curved and wavy inner surfaces such that at least one of the bristle assemblies that is secured on one of the curved inner surfaces has a tip end directed toward the wavy inner surface. A second tooth fitting portion having a substantially inverted V-shape could be used on the crown cap, in addition to, or in place of, the first tooth fitting portion. The second tooth fitting portion also includes bristle assemblies which are secured to curved inner surfaces, and extending at angle therefrom.
[8] Klinkhammer, U.S. 5669097, discloses an elongated handle of the device that has L- shaped first and second arms thereon which project in a horizontal plane from the distal end thereof, and the laterals of which depend from the main portions thereof. Interposed in a slot between the first and second arms is a third arm which projects in substantially a vertical plane coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the handle. An inverted U-shaped cowling with bristle arrayed about the inside thereof, is suspended from the third arm and supported on the laterals of the first and second arms, so that the inside surfaces of the skirts of the cowling are disposed to oppose the inside and outside faces of the teeth in a row of the same when the cowling is straddled about the row with the vertical plane of the handle and the three arms generally parallel thereto. Yieldable biasing means in the first and second arms require that the user forcibly wedge the teeth between the inside surfaces of the skirts when the cowling is straddled about the row of teeth, but the main portions of the first and second arms are adapted to resiliently flex in the horizontal plane thereof relative to the vertical plane of the handle, and the points at which the laterals depend from the main portions of the arms are sufficiently spaced apart along the slot from the points at which the main portions connect with the distal end of the handle, that the laterals maintain substantially the original angles thereof to the horizontal plane when the teeth are forcibly wedged between them, so that the bristles on the inside surfaces of the skirts maintain substantially the angles of incidence to the faces of the teeth given them in the design of the device.
[9] Klinkhammer, U.S. 5137039, discloses a device and method that employ a pair of spaced jaws which have a tooth cleaning implement connected therewith, in the gap therebetween. In use, the jaws are straddled about a row of teeth, transverse thereof, and translated along the row opposite the inside and outside faces of the teeth. Various features enable the user to locate and. "steer" the device, even when the jaws and implement are out-of-sight to him. Other features enable the user to count on the device itself to provide the "dynamics" with which we commonly use a conventional "tooth brush" when we manipulate it in our mouths from a point thereoutside. Still others enable the user to program or predetermine the "grip" of the device, transverse of the row, and to do so, moreover, in the context of having an interchangeable or replaceable tooth cleaning implement thereon which is adjustable in "grip" each time a new implement is substituted for an old. Other features enable the user to clean both gums and teeth alike, as well as to dislodge debris from any pockets at the gum line, and to clean the interstices between pairs of teeth. Still others enable him to flush away debris which is generated by the device during the various tooth cleaning operations. The various features include, among others, a taco shell-like cartridge unit which is insertable in the gap between the jaws to serve as a tooth cleaning implement, and a module for forming such a cartridge. Initially, the module has a bat-like, spread wing configuration, but it is sufficiently flexible and/or pliable to be folded into the generally U-shaped configuration of a cartridge unit. The various features also include certain bristle which are used in certain tooth brushing heads of the device.
[10] Burki, U.S. 3732589, discloses a treatment appliance and like tool, especially for treating teeth of human beings and generally for simultaneously applying the tool to a variety of treatment surfaces. The appliance is equipped to this end with various brush or polishing bristles which are prearranged in a specific pattern to and for cooperation with each other. An array of disk- or plate-shaped carrier or carriers together with one or more roller-shaped carriers, both retaining bristles thereon, is provided which facilitates access to various faces of a tooth or like object in one operational step, the brushes being
continuously driven to efficiently clean and brush without any dexterity and skill on the part of the operator.
[11] Moret et al., U.S. 4880382, discloses an integral oral hygiene system which includes an electric toothbrush wherein the brush can be replaced by an interproximal gum stimulator, an interproximal brush or a floss holder, all of which are driven by the toothbrush motor.
[12] Lustig et al., U.S. 5145369, discloses a manually deployable power tool for dental treatment and other uses that drives an output shaft with continuous rotary motion, combined with selected axial reciprocation of adjustable stroke length. The drive mechanism for imparting this combined motion to the output shaft has a single rotary input drive coupled with an adjustable cam mechanism. The cam mechanism produces the reciprocating motion in response to the driven rotation of the output shaft. The tool drive mechanism has a high degree of axial symmetry, and is arranged to facilitate the delivery of liquid material to the output, tool-carrying end of the output shaft.
[13] Loge, U.S. 5653591, discloses a tooth cleaning instrument with an elongated hand piece, which carries a tooth cleaning tool on its forward end, which can be set into vibration by a motor driven vibration generator which is associated with the tooth cleaning instrument, whereby the tooth cleaning instrument is connected or is detachably connectable at its rear end to a supply hose having energy and/or media supply lines, the tooth contact element has a surface structure which is suitable for the abrasion of the tooth coating.
[14] Klupt, U.S. 7080980, discloses a dental hygiene system with interchangeable dental heads that permits power-enhanced brushing and concurrent fluid irrigation to optimize a user's personal dental hygiene efforts. The system has a handle assembly with an irrigation nozzle in close proximity to displaceable bristles driven by a battery-operated
handle motor. Pumping of irrigation fluid such as an antiseptic solution into the oral cavity is also motor driven. A telescoping chamber with irrigation fluid fits on the piston-like base end of the handle and is refilled by docking the handle assembly on a complementary docking station that includes a detachable fluid reservoir, microswitch controls and a base fluid pump. Docking of the handle assembly triggers the micro- switches and opens a check valve in the bottom of the handle chamber, which activates the flow of fluid from the reservoir into the chamber. An optional fiberoptic subassembly illuminates the oral cavity.
[15] Chan, U.S. 7356866, discloses an electric toothbrush is comprising a body, a head, and a neck extending therebetween. The head comprises a receiving member and several unique and preferred arrangements of static and movable carriers. The carriers can comprise bristles, and the static bristle carrier(s) can at least partially surround the collection of movable bristle carrier(s). A motor and drive train impart motion to the movable carrier(s).
[16] The related art described above discloses apparatuses for prophylaxis in simultaneously cleaning plural surfaces of multiple teeth. For instance Klinkhammer '039 described above teaches an appliance with brushes for simultaneous contact with buccal, lingual and occlusal tooth surfaces as shown in Figs. 12 and 15. Sato '232 and
'243 confirms the approach of the '039 reference. Burki '589 teaches a rotating brush system with similar brush arrangement and which can contact both manibular and maxillary teeth simultaneously. However, the Burki '589 device has a tendency to roll along the teeth due to its rotational action, and, of course this depends on whether the brushes grip the maxillary teeth or the mandibular teeth with a greater force. This is inconvenient since the user must exert a restraining force to maintain the brush at a desired location and to proceed at a desired linear speed along a row of the teeth. In the presently described invention counter rotation of the brushes cancels this tendency. The Burki '589 device, as shown in his Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, fails to teach a handle that is able to
move over an angular range so as to enable the rotating brushes to reach the distal teeth. The present disclosure overcomes these, and other problems of the prior art and provides additional advantages as described in the following summary, detailed description and drawing figures.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[17] This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.
[18] Prophylaxis is important for maintaining the health of teeth and gingivae structures. Many individuals, especially the aged and young have difficulty in using a standard toothbrush. Even when manipulation of a brush is not difficult, studies show that the full and complete application of proper oral care is only achieved by about 35% of the general public. This is most likely because proper prophylaxis takes considerably time and patience. Poor training, problems with right or left handedness and other issues also contribute to inadequate. The many dental care solutions that are now known and that have been presented to the public attest to the apparent difficulty in making further improvements in the field of oral hygiene. The present invention is a new approach with significant advantages over the prior art as it assures that all exposed tooth surfaces are cleaned, that the proximal gingivae are massaged, and that gingivae pockets are cleaned, and it assures that this is done quickly, essentially in about 25% of the time it would take to do the same job using a standard, hand-held toothbrush.
[19] The present invention provides a powered toothbrush head that is configured to engaged two or three of both the maxillary, as well as the mandibular teeth at the same time. The head is universally mounted so that it may be guided from smoothly between the left and right sides of the. Within the head, three pairs of opposing rotating brushes simultaneous operate in both maxillary and mandibular positions. The brushes may be
rotated, sonically vibrated, or both by the use of a single switch. In one embodiment of this invention, the brushes are rotationally driven through a mechanical drive train, while in an alternate embodiment, the brushes are ultrasonically vibrated, and in a still further alternate embodiment, the brushes are both rotated and vibrated. In all of the embodiments, the brushes contact tooth surfaces providing cleaning action by vibrational bristle displacement against tooth and gingivae surfaces, and/or by bristle motion across the tooth and gingivae surfaces. It has been found that ultrasonic energy transferred to the aqueous environment found in the mouth during prophylaxis is sufficient to dislodge food particles within interproximal tooth areas and within gingivae pockets. Therefore, the use of rotating brushes and ultrasonic vibration of the bristles of the brushes at the same time provides a complete cleaning solution without the need for flossing, pick massaging or other supplementary manual hygiene activities which are often neglected due to time constraints or simple impatience.
[20] A primary objective inherent in the above described apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art.
[21] Another objective is to provide prophylaxis to portions of both upper and lower teeth and gingivae simultaneously.
[22] A further objective is to clean buccal/labial and occlusal and lingual tooth surfaces, and massage proximal gingivae and displace plaque from gingivae pockets at the same time.
[23] A still further objective is to accomplish these hygiene steps by rotating bristle contact.
[24] A still further objective is to accomplish these hygiene steps by ultrasonic energy transfer from brush bristles directly to oral surfaces and through a liquid medium.
[25] A still further objective is to accomplish both abrasion and energy transfer simultaneously.
[26] A final objective is to provide toothbrush head movement over inserted tooth structures while maintaining a comfortable angle of the handle.
[27] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the presently described apparatus and method of its use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[28] Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention In such drawing(s):
[29] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the presently described apparatus with a toothbrush head thereof shown distally;
[30] Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the toothbrush head shown enlarged and proximally;
[31] Figure 3 is a mechanical schematic diagram of the toothbrush head in an axial proximal elevation view showing a gearbox drive train thereof and positions of brushes thereof; and
[32] Figure 4 is a mechanical schematic diagram of the toothbrush head in a side elevation view showing the gearbox, and a portion of a drive shaft and handle enclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[33] The above described drawing figures illustrate the described apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it should be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and should not be taken as a limitation on the scope of the present apparatus and its method of use.
[34] The present invention, as best shown in Fig. 1, is a hand held and manipulated toothbrush appliance that is mechanically driven. A handle 10, includes a case 12 which encloses a rotational driver 14 and optionally, a vibratory driver 16. Extending from case 12 is a shaft 20 capable of optionally rotating or vibrating, and also, rotating and vibrating simultaneously by operation of a means for selection 18 preferably a multi- position electrical switch on the case 12. Shaft 20 is joined axially to a brush head 30.
[35] Referring now to Fig. 2, it is seen that brush head 30 provides an upper structure 32 and a lower structure 34 which structures are integral and extend in opposition from, and are integral also with a gear box 36. The upper and lower structures 32, 34, each preferably are U-shaped as shown but may take other forms. Within each of the structures 32 and 34 are mounted three pairs of operating brush sets 38 which either rotate, or vibrate, or both as will be described. Of course a different number of brush sets 38 may be used. Each of these operating brush sets 38 comprises a central brush 38C surrounded by a plurality of a satellite brush 38S. Said brush 38C and said brush 38S are
each comprised of plural mutually aligned bristles 38B as can be seen in the figure. Each brush set 38 also comprises a brush disc 39 upon which the central brush 38C and plural of the satellite brush 38S are normally mounted as best shown in Fig. 2.
[36] Preferably, within each of the U-shaped structures 32 and 34, two pairs of the brush sets 38 are mounted in mutual axial opposition and a third pair of the brush sets 38 are positioned medially between the opposing pairs. This is clearly shown in Fig. 2. Because the satellite brushes 38S are spaced apart on each brush disc 39, the bristles of adjacent brush sets 38 do not interference with each other during rotation, although the brush sets 38 partially occupy the same space as shown in Fig. 3.
[37] Rotational driver 14 is preferably a small DC electric motor driven by a battery housed within case 12. Such a system is well described in US 5145369 to Lustig et al which is hereby incorporated herein by reference to adequately teach this well known arrangement. Driver 14 rotates shaft 20, and, as shown in Fig. 4, shaft 20 is joined to a gear driver shaft 40 within brush head 30 by a universal joint 42 so that handle 10 is able to move, as desired, between its nominal position shown in solid line outline in Fig. 1, to a left "A" and a right "B" alternate positions which are indicated by phantom lines lateral to the nominal position. This enables the handle 10 to be held in a comfortable position while manipulating the brush head 30 across the teeth at the front of the mouth and also along the teeth at either side of the mouth, as will be further described presently.
[38] Now referring to' Fig. 4, it is shown how gear driver shaft 40 is rotated by shaft 20. Gear driver shaft 40 has mounted thereon a double sided sun crown gear 44. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram which does not show all of the structural elements necessary to operation, such as bearing housings for holding shafts, etc. For instance gear driver shaft 40 will normally terminate at the left side of the diagram at a bearing mount (not shown) which secures gear driver shaft 40. Likewise a further bearing mount would be required between universal joint 42 and double sided sun crown gear 44 so as to assure axial
stability of gear driver shaft 40. The bearing mount elements are not shown so as to improve clarity of the key necessary components that operate the present invention, however those of skill in the art would be able to provide such missing elements.
[39] Figs. 3 and 4 show that four smaller planetary crown gears 46 are engaged on each side of double sided sun crown gear 44. On the right side of Fig. 4, two of the planetary crown gears 46 have been omitted in the diagram in order to more clearly show the details of interaction between elements of this enablement. As shown in Fig. 3, on each side of the sun crown gear 44 two of the planetary crown gears 46 are mounted on horizontal shafts 48 and two further of the planetary crown gears 46 are mounted on vertical shafts 49. It is noted that in accordance with good engineering practice, each one of the horizontal shafts 48 would terminate in a bearing mount so as to be held in place, and although not shown for clarity in the diagram, this enablement could be easily provided by those of skill in the art and such bearing mounts could be easily incorporated into the walls of gearbox 36. Each of the vertical shafts 49 is engaged with a brush disk
39 and is supported by bearing mounts (not shown for clarity in the diagram). Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, the third pairs of the brush sets 38 in both the upper and lower structures 32 and 34, are rotated through the gearbox 36 by shaft 20 through vertical shafts 49.
[40] Now, as shown in Fig. 3, the two pairs of the brush sets 38 which are mounted in mutual axial opposition in both the upper and the lower structures 32 and 34 are rotated by drive bands 35 which rotationally join the horizontal shafts 48 of the mutually opposing brush sets 38 with those horizontal shafts 48 which are driven by the small crown gears 46. Preferably, the drive bands 35 are flexible steel straps which run in grooves in their respective horizontal shafts 48.
[41] As defined above, the brush sets 38 are able to be rotated mechanically from rotational driver 14 through shaft 20 and gearbox 36. In use, the brush head 30 is
inserted into a person's mouth and the upper teeth are inserted into the upper structure 32 and the lower teeth that are in opposition to the upper inserted teeth are inserted at the same time into the lower structure 34. Next, the rotational driver 14 is energized using control 18 so that all of the brush sets 38 rotate. The bristles of the brush sets 38 contact all of the exposed surfaces of the teeth at once cleaning both the upper and lower engaged teeth simultaneously.
[42] When the vibratory driver is energized, also by control 18, sonic vibration energy is transferred through shaft 20 to the crown gears 44 and 46, and shafts 49 to the medial brush sets 38, and through drive bands 35 to the opposing brush sets 38. To accomplish this, shaft 20 is isolated from handle 12 by lubricated rubber mounts 22 as shown in Fig. 4. The rubber mounts 22 do not rotate with shaft 20, but do isolate vibration from handle 10 including the portion of handle 10 that covers shaft 20 as a sheath. The generation and provision of vibration, including sonic action, to dental instruments such as tooth brushes is well known. For instance Loge', US 5653591 and Gruber, US
6918153, both hereby incorporated herein by reference, disclose oral care systems which deliver sonic vibration to dental tools in a manner that exemplifies the present invention. Therefore, the same mechanical drive train that has been described above for rotating the brush sets 38 are used to deliver sonic vibrations to the same brush sets 38 including mutually aligned bristles 38B. Sonic energy is able to be propagated through the drive train described, including gearbox 36 at the same time that rotational forces are delivered so that the present invention is able to operate in this dual mode for highly effective prophylaxis.
[43] The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use and to the achievement of the above described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special
definition in this specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or words describing the element.
[44] The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.
[45] Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.
[46] The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.
Claims
Claim 1. A mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance comprising: a handle enclosing a rotational driver and a vibratory driver and a means for selection of the rotational driver alone, the vibratory driver alone and the rotational driver with the vibratory driver together; the handle engaged with a brush head having at least six separately mounted brush sets, each of the brush sets separately engaged for motion, the brush sets each having bristles, the bristles oriented for near normal contact with lingual, buccal or labial and occlusal maxillary and mandibular tooth surfaces of teeth, simultaneously, when the teeth are inserted into the brush head; the brush sets mechanically engaged by at least one of said rotational and vibratory drivers through the brush head.
Claim 2. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 1 wherein the brush head provides an upper structure in opposition to a lower structure, the upper and lower structures separated by a gearbox.
Claim 3. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 2 wherein each of the upper structure and the lower structure are U-shaped.
Claim 4. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 2 wherein each of the upper and lower structures have three pairs of the brush sets mounted therein.
Claim 5. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 1 wherein each of the brush sets comprises a central brush and plural satellite brushes.
Claim 6. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 1 wherein each of the upper and lower structures have three pairs of the brush sets including two of the pairs of the brush sets mounted in mutual axial opposition with a third pair of the brush sets positioned medially between said opposing pairs of the brush sets.
Claim 7. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 6 wherein at east two of the brush sets are in overlapping positional juxtaposition.
Claim 8. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 1 wherein the brush head and the handle are j oined by a universal j oint.
Claim 9. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 2 wherein the gearbox has a gear driver shaft with a sun crown gear mounted thereon, and a plurality of planetary crown gears engaged with the sun crown gear, each one of the plurality of planetary crown gears engaged with one of the brush sets for rotational operation thereof.
Claim 10. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 9 wherein each one of the planetary crown gears is engaged with one of the brush sets by one of a drive shaft and a flexible drive band.
Claim 11. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 1 wherein vibratory energy is transmitted from the vibratory driver to the bristles through a mechanical drive train comprising a shaft, a sun crown gear and a plurality of planetary crown gears and shafts and drive bands.
Claim 12. A mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance comprising: a handle enclosing a rotational driver mechanically engaged with a brush head and thereby to at least six separately mounted brush sets, each of the brush sets separately engaged for rotation, the brush sets each having bristles, the bristles oriented for near normal contact with lingual, buccal or labial and occlusal maxillary and mandibular tooth surfaces of teeth, simultaneously, when the teeth are inserted into the brush head.
Claim 13. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 12 wherein the brush head provides an upper structure in opposition to a lower structure, the upper and lower structures separated by a gearbox.
Claim 14. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 13 wherein each of the upper and lower structures have three pairs of the brush sets mounted therein.
Claim 15. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 12 wherein each of the brush sets comprises a central brush and plural satellite brushes.
Claim 16. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 12 wherein each of the upper and lower structures have three pairs of the brush sets including two of the pairs of the brush sets mounted in mutual axial opposition with a third pair of the brush sets positioned medially between said opposing pairs of the brush sets.
Claim 17. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 16 wherein at east two of the brush sets are in overlapping positional juxtaposition.
Claim 18. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claiml2 wherein the brush head and the handle are joined by a universal joint.
Claim 19. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 2 wherein the gearbox has a gear driver shaft with a sun crown gear mounted thereon, and a plurality of planetary crown gears engaged with the sun crown gear, each one of the plurality of planetary crown gears engaged with one of the brush sets for rotational operation thereof.
Claim 20. The mandibular-maxillary prophylaxis appliance of claim 19 wherein each one of the planetary crown gears is engaged with one of the brush sets by one of a drive shaft and a flexible drive band.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US28657608A | 2008-09-30 | 2008-09-30 | |
US12/286,576 | 2008-09-30 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO2010039112A1 true WO2010039112A1 (en) | 2010-04-08 |
Family
ID=42073731
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2008/012929 WO2010039112A1 (en) | 2008-09-30 | 2008-11-19 | Mandibular maxillary prophylaxis appliance |
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Country | Link |
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WO (1) | WO2010039112A1 (en) |
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US20110067194A1 (en) * | 2009-09-24 | 2011-03-24 | Qasem Al-Qaffas | Dental Hygiene Device |
CN108309488A (en) * | 2018-02-20 | 2018-07-24 | 杭州飞羊生物科技有限公司 | A kind of three-dimensional electric toothbrush |
KR101891471B1 (en) | 2018-07-11 | 2018-09-28 | 주식회사 라브 | Mouthpiece type gingiva massager |
CN109793585A (en) * | 2019-03-19 | 2019-05-24 | 东莞市明罡电子科技有限公司 | The automatic dental scaler brush head of three faces of one kind hair, dental scaler and clean method |
NL2026252A (en) * | 2020-05-28 | 2020-09-30 | Nanjing Robust Information Tech Co Ltd | Tooth washing device |
WO2024132331A1 (en) * | 2022-12-22 | 2024-06-27 | epitome GmbH | Device for cleaning surfaces, and use thereof |
WO2024132332A1 (en) * | 2022-12-22 | 2024-06-27 | epitome GmbH | Device for cleaning surfaces and use thereof |
WO2024132336A1 (en) * | 2022-12-22 | 2024-06-27 | epitome GmbH | Device for cleaning surfaces, and use thereof |
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WO2024132336A1 (en) * | 2022-12-22 | 2024-06-27 | epitome GmbH | Device for cleaning surfaces, and use thereof |
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