Dentistry – Apparatus – Having intra-oral dispensing means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-14
2001-03-20
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having intra-oral dispensing means
C433S082000, C132S308000, C015S167100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203320
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns an electric toothbrush combining the oral cavity cleansing benefits of bristles and liquid irrigation. The efficiency of power brush cleaning is united with pulsed water to effectively remove plaque from tooth surfaces and to stimulate the gums.
2. The Related Art
It has been established that significant benefits are derived from regular dental care performed in the home by the individual himself together with periodic examination and treatment by professionally trained dentists. It is universally recognized, for example, that regular brushing of the teeth, particularly after every meal, serves to dislodge food particles which ordinarily are retained adjacent the teeth and which, if allowed to remain, would cause decay and dental caries. When properly administered, regular brushing also serves to maintain good circulation in gingival tissue, thereby lessening the likelihood of gingival disease, one of the prime causes of premature loss of teeth. Perhaps of less, but nevertheless significant, importance are the stain removal and brightening actions resulting from regular brushing, which contribute noticeably to the appearance of the individual.
Mechanized toothbrush systems are particularly popular for this purpose. Generally they involve rapid movement of bristles operated by a suitable power source. Power may be imparted through a water driven turbine or an electrically driven mechanism involving a set of gears. More recently ultrasonic vibrational energy has been employed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,492 (Suroff) reports that ultrasonic energy when applied under proper control to tooth and gingival surfaces in the human mouth may successfully be employed for regular oral hygienic care without any damage to tooth surfaces or gingival tissues. Ultrasonic cleaning techniques were said to provide a significantly increased cleaning ability around the interproximal and gum line areas in contrast to the inadequate brushing techniques of prior commercial toothbrushes. This patent teaches coupling the toothbrush to a power means and transferring ultrasonic energy from the power means to the ultrasonic implement with the former remaining substantially free from absorbing ultrasonic energy as the vibratory energy is transmitted.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,865 (Kaeser et al.) combines the features of a motorized back and forth motion of the brush and use of a pulsating stream of highly pressurized water for final rinsing of the teeth with massaging of the gums.
While mechanized toothbrush technology has significantly advanced, there is still a need for further improvement.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electric toothbrush that combines the efficiency of power brush cleaning with pulsed irrigation to effectively remove plaque from all tooth surfaces.
This and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent through consideration of the following summary and detailed discussion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An electronically operated toothbrush is provided which includes:
(i) a handle;
(ii) a brushhead connected to the handle, the brushhead having a plurality of hollow filament bristles;
(iii) at least one passageway through the handle and brushhead for transporting fluid into and through the hollow filament bristles;
(iv) a source of electrical energy attached to the handle; and
(v) a vibrational element activated by the source of electrical energy, the vibrational element imparting a pulsation to the fluid being transported to the hollow filament bristles.
Useful for the present invention are hollow filament bristles having either a circular or a non-circular cross-section. Preferably the void content of the filaments may range from about 20 to about 70%. A most preferred form of pulsation is that of an ultrasonic wave pulse pattern.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method for cleaning teeth and stimulating gums which includes:
(i) providing a toothbrush having a brushhead fitted with a plurality of hollow filament bristles;
(ii) feeding tooth irrigating fluid into the toothbrush;
(iii) imparting a pulsation to the fluid which is then transported through the hollow filament bristles; and
(iv) contacting teeth and gums in an oral cavity with the pulsating fluid to remove oral debris.
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Hart Richard Steven
Williams David Robert
Doan Robyn Kieu
Honig Milton L.
Unilever Home & Personal Care USA , division of Conopco, Inc.
Wilson John J.
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