Patent Application
20100146724
The present invention generally relates to design and use of a tooth and gum cleaning device. More particularly, the present invention relates to design and use of improved toothbrush devices for cleaning teeth, gums, and/or orthodontic appliances.
People without fixed orthodontic appliances may find conventional toothbrushes adequate in removing plaque. However, orthodontic patients with fixed devices, such as braces, face unique challenges in the removal of plaque around these devices and the surrounding teeth and gingiva or gums. It is not uncommon for the level of plaque removal in these types of patients to be unacceptable, as the presence of fixed orthodontic appliances prevents conventional toothbrushes from reaching areas around and under the devices where plaque accumulates. A great deal of manual dexterity is therefore required on the part of the patient to properly remove plaque using a conventional toothbrush. The consequences of improper dental care may include various forms of tooth decay. Therefore, there is a need for a toothbrush that can remove plaque that is inaccessible or difficult to reach with a conventional toothbrush in the home or within a dental care practitioner's office.
Further, different areas of the mouth involve different types of cleaning. Different tooth and gum locations in the mouth, such as mesial (e.g., situated toward the middle of the front of the jaw along the curve of the dental arch), distal (e.g., situated farthest from the middle and front of the jaw, as with a tooth or tooth surface), proximal (e.g., a surface of a tooth facing a centerline of the palate), interproximal (e.g., between the proximal surfaces of adjoining teeth), interdental (e.g., of or relating to the relationship between the proximal surfaces of teeth of the same arch), etc., can benefit from different brush configurations. Gingiva or gums are divided into marginal (e.g., surrounding a tooth), attached, and interdental areas, each involving different exposure and access considerations.
Current interdental brushes are specialized devices designed only to clean between teeth by pushing a flat protrusion between the teeth in an action similar to flossing. Interdental brushes may be inserted when orthodontal devices are in place on the teeth. However, such interdental brushes are only somewhat effective in cleaning and do not reach all areas of teeth and gums. Additionally, such brushes fail to clean around and in the orthodontal devices. Conventional proximal brushes attempt to clean outward tooth surfaces and are rendered less effective by the presence of orthodontic appliances, such as dental braces, which deflect or push aside bristles, thus preventing or at least reducing cleaning in and around the orthodontic appliance and affected tooth and gum areas.
Luposello U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,708 discloses one known toothbrush for use in cleaning an orthodontic appliance that includes a head having a plurality of upwardly extending bristles. Two elongate brush members perpendicularly overlie the plurality of bristles. Both of the elongate brush members include an unattached end for insertion between orthodontic wires and an opposing end that is connected to a handle of the toothbrush. Luposello does not disclose any upwardly extending bristles that display omnidirectional cleaning capabilities, nor are any of the upwardly extending bristles combined with horizontally or vertically extending omnidirectional cleaning members in the same cleaning plane.
Massetti U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,463 discloses another known toothbrush that comprises a handle with a cleaning portion on one end thereof. The cleaning portion includes opposing side members having one or more swabs extending transversely therebetween. The swab members are rotatable and include a plurality of bristles extending therefrom. Massetti describes such rotatable swabs and does not contemplate utilizing non-rotatable cleaning elements. Rotatable cleaning elements slip on the surface to be cleaned, such as a tooth or orthodontic appliance surface. Rotating tends to bend the bristles, rather than keeping them relatively straight. Bent bristles do not reach pockets between teeth for thorough cleaning. Additionally, rotating bristles form a curve around the tooth rather than effectively contacting and cleaning the tooth and surrounding tissue/spaces. Further, the rigid side members holding the swabs with transversely extending bristles are not as effective in orienting the bristles between the teeth, gingiva, and orthodontic appliances, as toothbrushes with more resilient, i.e., elastically deformable, holding elements are.
Certain embodiments provide toothbrushes and/or other cleaning devices for contacting and cleaning teeth, gums, cheeks, tongue, and orthodontic appliances in an oral cavity.
Certain embodiments provide a mouth cleaning device. The device includes a handle portion for holding and maneuvering the mouth cleaning device in an oral cavity. The device also includes a cleaning head portion attached to the handle portion and including two parallel legs each having a plurality of cleaning elements projecting multi-directionally from the leg.
Certain embodiments provide a toothbrush for cleaning an 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 a core of the cleaning head to form a plurality of substantially circular arrangements around the core. The cleaning head is arranged to provide a plurality of lengths of the core at angles to one another. Each length includes cleaning elements for cleaning of different areas of teeth, tissue, and orthodontic appliances in the oral cavity.
Certain embodiments provide an oral and orthodontic appliance cleaning device. The device includes a handle. The device also includes a brushing head including a core and a plurality of bristles extending radially from the core to form a plurality of substantially circular bristle patterns around the core. The plurality of bristles is arranged to contact and assist in cleaning of teeth, tissue, and orthodontic appliances in an oral cavity through manipulation of the handle to guide the brushing head. The brushing head is arranged to reach over teeth to contact tissue and tooth surface behind posterior teeth in an oral cavity as well as clean with respect to 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 part throughout the drawings. The embodiments shown in the drawings are presented for purposes of illustration only. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and features shown in the attached drawings.
Certain embodiments provide tooth, orthodontic appliance, gingival (gum), tongue, and/or cheek cleaning devices. Certain embodiments provide an oral cleaning device including a plurality of bristles arranged to contact surfaces of teeth and gums as well as going around and under braces or other orthodontic appliances rather than being deflected away from the orthodontic appliances. Non-rotating cleaning elements are better suited to cleaning teeth, gingiva, other oral tissue (e.g., tongue and cheek), and orthodontic appliances at least in part because the cleaning elements do not slip on the surface to be cleaned. Certain embodiments provide cleaning devices for reaching teeth, gums, tongue, cheek, and orthodontic appliances in proximal, interproximal, interdental, and/or other areas. Cleaning elements may be used to clean teeth, tongue, cheek, and gums, as well as reaching between, inside, and/or around wires, undercuts, and/or other areas of orthodontic appliances (such as dental braces), for example.
A cleaning device can be constructed to include a cleaning portion or head and a handle. The head and handle can be connected by a neck, for example. In certain embodiments, the cleaning device handle and head are formed using conventional injection molding techniques. In certain embodiments, a cleaning device may be fabricated from multiple components. Bristles and/or other cleaning elements may be attached to the head by gluing, tying, stapling, thermoforming, fusion, welding, etc. Cleaning elements, head, and handle may also be jointly formed using a single- or multiple-step injection molding process, for example.
In certain embodiments, bristles and/or other cleaning elements in the device head may be formed from wire strands, microfibers, thermoplastic material, such as a co-polymer or synthetic polymer (e.g., nylon or polyester), and the like. Thickness and/or length of bristles and/or other cleaning elements may be varied based on desired oral contact area, cleaning abrasiveness, and/or other criterion, for example. In various embodiments, a number of cleaning elements, such as primary, secondary, and/or omnidirectional cleaning elements, may be provided.
In certain embodiments, brushing or cleaning elements, such as bristles, contact areas around and under orthodontic appliances, such as dental braces, rather than being deflected away from the braces. In certain embodiments, bristles reach around and/or behind teeth to access and clean hard-to-reach portions of teeth, tongue, cheeks, and gums in the mouth to clean plaque and other debris. The brushing head is arranged to reach over teeth to contact tissue and tooth surface behind posterior teeth, for example, in an oral cavity as well as clean with respect to the orthodontic appliance.
In a variety of configurations, many of which are described below, cleaning elements formed in a head portion may be arranged in a substantially or approximately curved arc or angled U- or V-shape formed by a core/neck around which bristles radially extend to form substantially circular cleaning elements. The core/neck is attached or affixed to the handle. The cleaning head may be implemented at a variety of angles. The cleaning head may lie in the same plane as the handle portion of the device and/or may be positioned in a different plane (e.g., extending upward and outward at a certain angle from the handle). In certain embodiments, angles may be introduced into the head to provide cleaning elements within multiple planes in the head portion. For example, a proximal portion of the head may be positioned in substantially the same plane as the head portion while a distal portion of the head angles upward to a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the distal portion of the head.
Certain embodiments describing variations in oral cleaning device design and use will be provided in more detail below.
Mesial-Distal Cleaner
Posterior teeth (teeth located in the back of the mouth) and related gums, as well as mesial and/or distal areas of the edentulous (i.e., toothless or tooth-free) section of the mouth, are very hard to clean and are therefore prone to contract periodontal disease. With commonly available tooth brushes, even using different bristle heights and various angles of bristle projection, it is challenging to clean these areas of the mouth. Current interdental brushes and conventional toothbrushes are designed in such a way that it is not efficient to clean these problem areas. Certain embodiments provide a Mesial-Distal Cleaner designed to improve cleaning the distal area of the end tooth of the dentition (i.e., the arrangement of teeth in the mouth) as well as the mesial and distal areas of the edentulous section. For purposes of illustration,
A Mesial-Distal Cleaner 200 includes a head 210, a neck 220, and a handle 230. The head 210 includes a core with bristles projecting multi-directionally, such as but not limited to a twisted wire brush, a cylinder brush or other similarly shaped device made of a plastic or rubbery material having bristles or similar cleaning elements extending from a core in a substantially circular pattern, for example.
In operation, for example, a user grasps the handle 230 of the cleaning device 200 and uses both sections A and B of the head 210 to reach and clean varying areas of the teeth and gums. Bristles in the head 210 also allow for contact with teeth to clean surfaces of posterior teeth and tissue behind them, for example. The configuration of the bristles extending radially around a core of the head 210 and a distribution of the head 210 as shown in sections A and B helps to facilitate such cleaning for the benefit of the user.
Mouth Cleaning Device
Certain embodiments provide a variation on a mouth cleaning device. A Mouth Cleaning Device (MCD) 700 includes a head 710, a neck 720, and a handle 730. The head 710 includes a core with bristles projecting multi-directionally, such as but not limited to a wire brush. The wire brush can be replaced with a cylinder brush or other similar shaped device made of a rubbery or plastic material, for example.
The neck 720 connects the bristle portion or head 710 to the handle 730.
In certain embodiments, the head 710 and/or neck 720 can be adjusted or bent by a user to achieve the comfort and/or efficiency of his or her choosing. The wire portion of the head 710 can include plastic shields and/or other coating to reduce discomfort and/or to protect teeth or soft tissue in the event of contact, for example.
In operation, for example, a user grasps the handle 730 and manipulates the head 710 in an oral cavity to access teeth, tongue, cheeks, and/or gums using the plurality of bristles extending along the length of the head 710. The configuration of the head 710 allows the user to access and clean interproximal areas of the teeth, gums, and cheek, as well as other areas of the oral cavity including in and around orthodontic appliances.
Wire Twist Brush Loop Toothbrush
In certain embodiments, a bendable Wire Twist Brush (WTB) loop is added to a commercially available toothbrush to allow better and easier access to an inside arch of the upper and lower anterior teeth and the back of the most posterior teeth.
In certain embodiments, a WTB loop 1910 can be attached to a toothbrush head 1920 as shown in
In certain embodiments, the WTB loop 1910 can be bent easily with finger pressure. Depending on the position of the WTB loop 1910, it can access specific areas of the mouth more easily. For example, as shown in
Thus, depending on the preference and manual dexterity of the user, the position of the WTB loop 1910 can be adjusted at varying angles.
In certain embodiments, the shape of the WTB loop 1910 can be altered three dimensionally with finger pressure to enhance cleaning and contact in the mouth based on user preference. Examples are shown in
In certain embodiments, the bendable WTB loop 1910 can be removable from its position on the toothbrush head 1920. As an example, in
Female parts 1940 can be placed anywhere on the brush body 1920. The female or receptacle parts can be designed in such a way that the position of the WTB loop 1910 can be adjusted and locked in a desired position.
In order to be used with a commercially available toothbrush without a receptacle or attachment point, the WTB loop 1910 can be shaped, for example, as shown in
In certain embodiments, tips 1930 of the WTB loop 1910 can be embedded securely in the brush body 1920 to prevent the loop 1910 from coming out despite being bent back and forth for usage and storage. Examples of shapes of the tips 1930 of the WTB loop 1910 to enhance anchorage in the body 1920 are shown in
In certain embodiments, the WTB loop 1910 can be used independently without being combined with a commercially available toothbrush (see, e.g.,
As illustrated, for example, in
In certain embodiments, a variety of similar devices (e.g., a core with laterally projecting spurs having uniform and/or variable lengths) can be substituted for the WTB loop 1910. Flexibility can be built into the material for the loop itself and/or in the assembly structure. Examples are shown in
In operation, for example, both the loop 1910 and the toothbrush head 1920 can be used to clean areas of the mouth. A user can position the loop 1910 with respect to the head 1920 to access back surfaces of posterior teeth, as well as inside arches of 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 through various positioning and movement.
Teeth Cleaning Device
In certain embodiments, a Wire Twist Brush (WTB) 3410 may be added to the body 3420 of a commercially available toothbrush 3400 as shown in
The hook 3450, under which the WTB 3410 can be positioned, may be formed of a solid material such as a metal or plastic (such as the same material as the plastic body of the toothbrush). Examples of the hook 3450 are shown in
In certain embodiments, the WTB 3410 can be positioned anywhere on the brush body 3420. Some examples are provided in
In certain embodiments, the brush body 3420 (e.g., a plastic brush body or handle) can be modified slightly to lower a profile of the WTB 3410 and/or to prevent the WTB 3410 from interfering with typical brushing with body bristles when the WTB 3410 is not being used. As examples,
In certain embodiments, an attachment mechanism to attach the WTB 3410 to the body 3420 can be fixed and/or removable. In a fixed mechanism, a bristle-less end of the WTB 3410 is embedded in the toothbrush body 3420. In a removable mechanism, the WTB 3410 can be attached to the body 3420 via male/female connection (see, e.g.,
In certain alternative embodiments, an embedded end 3430 of the WTB 3410 (without bristle) is anchored in the body 3410 mechanically so that the end 3430 is secure when the WTB 3410 is being bent back and forth. Examples are shown in
In certain embodiments, other types of auxiliary tooth cleaning device can be attached to a commercially available toothbrush in a manner as explained above. An example is shown in
In operation, for example, bristles on the brush body 3420 may be used to clean teeth, gums, and other areas in an oral cavity. The WTB 3410 can be positioned to additionally clean between and around teeth, orthodontic appliances, tongue, cheeks, etc., in the user's mouth. Thus, the body bristles and wire brush compliment each other to provide a thorough cleaning.
Oral Cavity Cleaning Device
Certain embodiments provide an Oral Cavity Cleaning Device (OCCD) including a head, a neck and a handle.
In certain embodiments, the handle 4230 can be straight or curved for the ease of the user, as seen in commercially available toothbrushes.
In certain embodiments, the wire portion of the head 4210 can include plastic shields or coating to reduce discomfort and/or to protect teeth or soft tissue from contact by the wire, for example.
In operation, the OCCD 4200 can be used to clean various areas of an oral cavity, including but not limited to the interdental areas. Unlike available interdental brushes, the OCCD 4200 covers more areas than a single interdental area (see, for example, the brush and tooth illustrations in
When the OCCD 4200 is compared to a conventional toothbrush that has a plastic head with vertically projecting bristles on only one side of the head, the OCCD's built-in flexibility from a twisted wire head helps minimize damage to the teeth, such as cervical abrasion of the teeth.
Multi-Stiffness Brush
Certain embodiments provide a multi-stiffness brush. The brush includes a core and projections from the core that extend multi-directionally from the core. Examples include but are not limited to a twisted wire brush. Bristles (or projections) can be cut selectively in such a way that the brush provides surfaces with different degrees of flexibility and stiffness of the bristles.
In certain embodiments, a multi-length/multi-stiffness brush can be applied to one or more of the embodiments discussed above.
Examples shown herein are provided only to illustrate and explain certain embodiments of the present invention. There can be other ways to accomplish the same goal that fall within the scope of the present invention, and examples shown are not meant to limit the devices and methods to realize the invention.
As a further example, one or more of the embodiments described below may be implemented separately and/or in combination to provide a cleaning device for a mouth including teeth, gums, tongue, cheek, and orthodontic appliance. Several design alternatives are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/559,265, filed on Nov. 13, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principals of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to the formation of a variety of oral cleaning devices. Certain features of the embodiments of the claimed subject matter have been illustrated as described herein; however, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. Additionally, while several device components and relationships between device components have been described in detail, it is contemplated by those of skill in the art that several of the described components and/or embodiments may be combined and/or used apart from other components and/or embodiments, and/or that additional features and/or relationships between features may be established and still be in accordance with the claimed subject matter. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the embodiments of the claimed subject matter.
This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/987,410, filed on Nov. 13, 2007; No. 60/911,899, filed on Apr. 15, 2007; No. 60/895,683, filed on Mar. 19, 2007; No. 60/895,669, filed on Mar. 19, 2007; No. 60/987,409, filed on Nov. 13, 2007, 60/979,405, filed on Oct. 12, 2007; and No. 60/911,901, filed on Apr. 15, 2007, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US08/57363 | 3/18/2008 | WO | 00 | 2/8/2010 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60895683 | Mar 2007 | US | |
| 60895669 | Mar 2007 | US | |
| 60911899 | Apr 2007 | US | |
| 60911901 | Apr 2007 | US | |
| 60979405 | Oct 2007 | US | |
| 60987409 | Nov 2007 | US | |
| 60987410 | Nov 2007 | US |
